An Essex man has been convicted of urinating beside the memorial of fallen hero PC Keith Palmer.
Andrew Banks, 28, of Stansted, admitted one charge of outraging public decency when he appeared in custody at Westminster Magistrates' Court this morning, Monday, 15th June 2020.
Outraging public decency is triable either way. As with every other common law offence, it has a maximum penalty of 26 weeks' custody and/or a fine at level 5 (unlimited) on summary conviction; an unlimited (theoretically) period in custody and/or an fine at level 5 (unlimited) on conviction on indictment.
Banks attended the Black Lives Matters counter-protest in central London on Saturday, 13th June. He was captured on photograph urinating beside PC Palmer's memorial.
PC Palmer was killed on duty during the 2017 terrorist attack on Westminster Bridge and the Palace of Westminster. He was posthumously awarded the George Medal for the bravery displayed in tackling knife-wielding terrorist Khalid Masood, who burst through the Palace's Carriage Gates having just killed and seriously injured dozens of pedestrians with a hire car.
Senior District Judge Emma Arbuthnot, the Chief Magistrate, heard the case in courtroom number one.
Prosecutor Michael Mallon told the court that Banks had travelled to London on Saturday to protect statues, although he didn't know which ones.
Banks was confronted by his father after an appeal was launched to track down the man photographed urinating beside PC Palmer's memorial.
The unemployed chef, who was of previous good character, handed himself into Essex Police on Sunday. He made full and frank admissions in interview, saying that he was so drunk he didn't realise where he was urinating.
Stuart Harris, mitigating, told the court that his client was "ashamed by his actions". He also said that Banks had mental health difficulties.
Addressing Banks in the dock, the Judge said: "The harm caused is the upset and shock felt by members of the public who saw the photograph.
"Your explanation is you had 16 pints to drink and hadn't been to bed the night before."
The Judge said that his actions had sparked "widespread revulsion" and the offence was so serious that only a custodial sentence was appropriate. You can read the Judge's full sentencing remarks here.
Banks was sentenced to 14 days' immediate custody.
He was also ordered to pay £128 victim surcharge and £85 toward prosecution costs.
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