The opening of the Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor stalking case at Westminster magistrates’ court today turned into a Carry On filmette after a dog called Indie derailed the proceedings without setting a paw inside the building.
Alex Jenkinson, 39, the man accused of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behavior towards Andrew in Norfolk on May 6, arrived at Westminster magistrates’ court with his hound, Indie, in tow and was promptly turned away by court officials, who take a dim view of random animals at hearings.
His lawyer, Claire Howell, was left to explain the situation to Tan Ikram, the deputy chief magistrate. “He has had to bring his dog with him, so he wasn’t allowed inside the court,” she said. “He is homeless and currently in a Travelodge. He is not allowed to leave the dog there. It provides him with support, he suffers from ADHD.”
Judge Ikram responded: “I’m not prepared to have a dog in the courtroom simply because he is homeless and he happens to keep a dog,” he said, adding, in fairness: “I’m not saying he is not telling the truth but there’s nothing to corroborate it.”
Howell then told the court: “I don’t want to give character evidence on behalf of the dog, but having spent the last hour and a half with him, I can say he is a very well-behaved animal.”
The judge was unmoved.