Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was involved in an incident back in May (Image: Getty)
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was expected to make a court appearance today, however, a new trial date has been set for December, it has emerged. Alex Jenkinson faces an allegation that he caused the former Duke of York to “fear unlawful violence” during an incident in Norfolk on May 6.
The 39-year-old is accused of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards the former Duke of York. His trial was originally due to take place today, Wednesday, July 29, but Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring delayed the hearing due to concerns over Jenkinson’s mental health. At Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, he set the new trial date for December 21.
Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Alex Jenkinson (Image: PA)
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is expected to be among the witnesses at the trial, giving his evidence by videolink.
Part of the case concerns an incident in which Andrew was walking his dogs in Wolferton, near his Marsh Farm property.
Jenkinson was detained under the Mental Health Act for around a month in the immediate aftermath of the alleged incident, and he was then given temporary accommodation in a Travelodge.
The court heard he underwent a psychiatric assessment on Tuesday, and a report is due to be prepared for early August.
At Wednesday’s hearing, the court heard that online searches on Jenkinson’s phone are expected to form part of the evidence at trial.
The full details of the searches were not revealed, other than one involving the words “Prince Andrew” and “birthday”, and in written submissions defence barrister Claire Howell said a police officer has prepared a 341-page download of the phone.
An officer has “conducted keyword searches of the internet browsing history on the download”, and prepared evidence “purporting to exhibit the various downloads which she titled ‘Andrew’, ‘search Sandringham’ and ‘weapons’.”
Jenkinson’s lawyers objected to the way the phone evidence had been prepared, and the court heard an expert forensic police officer is now expected to deliver the evidence for the trial.
Jenkinson, who was not at Wednesday’s hearing, has pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen of blood while in custody on May 6.
He denies the public order offence against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and has also pleaded not guilty to a further charge of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear or provoke unlawful violence against a man, Stephen Terry, in King’s Lynn, on May 5.
Jenkinson is on conditional bail to not go near a number of sites linked to the royal family: Sandringham, Buckingham Palace, Balmoral, Windsor and Highgrove.
He must also not try to contact Andrew directly or indirectly, or approach him or enter Norfolk, the court heard.