A man ‘who rushed at the Queen‘s coffin’ as she lay in state in Westminster Hall has Covid-19 and will not stand trial before the New Year, a court heard today.

Muhammad Khan, 28, is accused of charging at Elizabeth II’s coffin to check if she was dead after standing in the queue to see it for several hours.

He has said he wants to write to the Royal Family to reveal she is still alive and visit royal residences such as Buckingham Palace if they do not respond to his messages.

An earlier hearing was told he suffers from delusions.

Khan, appearing at Westminster Magistrates Court today via videolink from Mile End Hospital, spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, to say he did not want to be represented by a lawyer and to ask when he could leave the mental health unit where he is staying.

He appeared calm during the 30 minute hearing which dealt with administrative matters.

Khan, who currently has Covid-19, did not enter any plea as reports need to be prepared to decide whether he is mentally fit to stand trial.

A video grab posted to Twitter shows the moment of the incident at Westminster Hall on Friday, September 16

A video grab posted to Twitter shows the moment of the incident at Westminster Hall on Friday, September 16

A video grab posted to Twitter shows the moment of the incident at Westminster Hall on Friday, September 16

If he is fit, he will stand trial on January 17 and if he is too unwell, an ‘actus reus’ hearing will take place — which rules on whether he did it but does not determine guilt.

Luke Staton, prosecuting, told an earlier hearing that Khan had been one of around 250,000 people who filed through the hall over four and a half days during the official mourning period for Elizabeth II.

He reached Westminster Hall on Friday, September 16. 

‘At around 9.30 in the evening the defendant had reached Westminster Hall,’ the prosecutor said.

‘He was then seen by officers who were present to approach the coffin.

‘He stepped off the carpet in the direction of the catafalque and then grabbed hold of the Royal Standard flag… with both of his hands.

‘He was very quickly detained by officers who were in the vicinity and then later to a different room where he was arrested.

‘The Crown’s case is essentially that he intended to cause harassment, alarm or distress to members of the public.’

The court heard that Khan thought ‘King Charles had something to do with it’.

Mourners were left visibly shocked (pictured) during the incident - which took place just hours after King Charles and his family held a vigil in honour of the Queen

Mourners were left visibly shocked (pictured) during the incident - which took place just hours after King Charles and his family held a vigil in honour of the Queen

Mourners were left visibly shocked (pictured) during the incident – which took place just hours after King Charles and his family held a vigil in honour of the Queen

The prosecutor added: ‘In interview it is right to say that the defendant did express the idea that the Queen is not dead and that he approached the coffin because he wanted to check for himself.

‘He did say, and this was prior to the state funeral… that he was considering going to the funeral.

‘He planned to write to the royal family.

‘If they did not reply he planned to go to Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace and Balmoral to go and speak to the Queen.

‘He said that he would keep trying to do this “as long as I am alive.”

‘Clearly he suffers from serious mental health issues.

‘My concern is that he would effectively stop at nothing to contact the Royal Family, which points to a likely risk to his own health because of the officers.’

Mr Staton, a mental health worker and a district judge spoke only to deal with administrative matters today.

Khan was again unrepresented by a lawyer.

The court was told there are no plans to discharge him before the next hearing.

District Judge Briony Clarke adjourned the hearing until 16 November and said: ‘I know that previously you have been sectioned and you remain on section at the moment.

‘What we need to do is work out how we make progress in this case. 

‘I’m going to fix a date for a hearing in this court, I am then going to order some more psychiatric reports for that hearing so we will know what is happening…’

The judge asked Khan if he wished to remain unrepresented.

Khan replied: ‘I would like to say a few words before I answer your question.

Members of the public file past the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard at the Palace of Westminster on Saturday September 17, 2022

Members of the public file past the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard at the Palace of Westminster on Saturday September 17, 2022

Members of the public file past the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard at the Palace of Westminster on Saturday September 17, 2022

‘In the past hearing where I was represented by a duty solicitor, I said I didn’t want a solicitor. He ultimately made me decide that I needed to go to a mental health facilitation, but that was never my choice. Ever since then I have been treated completely differently.’

Judge Clarke said: ‘That was not the court’s decision, it was the doctor’s, and you were detained under the Mental Health Act. So, you are certain you don’t want to be represented?’

‘No,’ Khan replied.

Judge Clarke added: ‘I am going to fix a hearing for January 17 and at that hearing the court may decide whether you are guilty or not guilty.’ 

Khan, of Lordship Lane, Wood Green, is charged with using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment alarm or distress with intent under section 4A of the Public Order Act.

A case management hearing will take place on November 16. 

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