Man guilty of Queen axe charges

Mr Bleazard claimed he just wanted a photograph of the Queen

A judge has told a man found carrying an axe in a crowd of people waiting for the Queen that he was sure he was there for "very serious reasons".

Daniel Bleazard, 34, was arrested as crowds waited for the royal visit in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, in May.

Judge Jonathan Durham-Hall QC made his comments after a jury at Bradford Crown Court found Bleazard guilty of a number of offences relating to the incident.

Sentencing was adjourned for psychiatric reports to be prepared.

Felling axe

The trial had heard how members of the public outside Huddersfield railway station alerted police because Bleazard seemed to be pushing towards the front.

Officers spotted what they thought was a pick-axe handle but when they grabbed him they found he was carrying a felling axe with a 3ft-long shaft.

The incident happened a short time before the Queen arrived, getting out of her car within a few yards of where Bleazard was arrested.

On Wednesday, a jury of nine men and three women took just 30 minutes to find him guilty of having an article with a blade and breaching an Anti-Social Behaviour Order.

He was also found guilty of another charge of having an article with a blade and one of going equipped for theft, relating to a different incident.

Risk assessment

Judge Durham-Hall said: "I take the clearest view that that man was in that crowd with that axe amongst those children for very serious reasons indeed."

He remanded Bleazard in custody saying he was "amazed" the defendant had been given bail in the first place.

Ordering a psychiatric report to be prepared, Judge Durham-Hall said: "I also want the probation service to try to get to the bottom of the risk this man poses to the public."

Bleazard, of Adelphi Road, Huddersfield, had denied all the charges. He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 1 February.