Great Yarmouth Queen church service disturbance man at court

Ethan Stapley was accused of disturbing a memorial service in Great Yarmouth Minster on September 18, the evening before the funeral of the Queen.

The service was led by the Bishop of Thetford, the Rt Rev Alan Winton.

The Minster (Image: Newsquest)

It was alleged that he was let into the service, he walked around the building, made comments about the late Queen, said he wouldn't like to take a seat, and at one point walked in front of the bishop while he was giving his sermon.

The 23-year-old, of Buttercup Drive, Bradwell, appeared in Suffolk Magistrates Court in Ipswich.

While the prosecuting solicitor applied for an adjournment, Mr Stapley, representing himself, said the case has been "hanging over" him for a long period of time already, and being pushed back even further would be another "indirect punishment".

The magistrates decided that due to the effect on Mr Stapley's wellbeing, the trial should not be pushed back, and in response the prosecution dropped the case against him.

In response, Mr Stapley said: "That's a shame. The law has largely unchanged since 1860. How can that be compatible with my human rights?"

He had been charged with using abusive or threatening words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

Mr Stapley was also charged with the crime of disturbing a preacher ministering a service in a church, contrary to the Ecclesiastical Courts Jurisdiction Act 1860.

He had denied the two charges in Great Yarmouth Magistrates Court on November 2, claiming his behaviour was freedom of expression.

There were a number of dignitaries at the memorial service, the court heard, including police superintendent Nathan Clark, councillors and members of the public.

Supt Nathan Clark who arrested Ethan Stapley (Image: Newsquest)

Supt Clark was not on duty, but took it upon himself to remove Mr Stapley from the Minster and arrest him.