Man clamped Queen’s security cars

Gareth Andrews, 39, of Fareham, Hampshire, was found guilty at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court of wilfully obstructing a police constable in the execution of his duty.

The trial was told that the Queen had made an unannounced visit to Portsmouth on Wednesday May 25.

Colin Shackel, prosecuting, said Pc Mark Cox and a second officer, both in plain clothes, had parked their unmarked cars at the Gunwharf Quays marina retail complex that the Queen was visiting.

Describing the role of Pc Cox, of Hampshire Police, he said: “He was actually in effect in a protection capacity. The person being the subject of the protection was Her Majesty The Queen, who was due to visit in a private capacity.”

After Andrews had clamped the vehicles he was confronted by PC Cox but refused to remove the devices.

Pc Cox told the court that Andrews’ behaviour was “belligerent”, “defiant” and “obstructive”.

He added: “I decided I had no option but to arrest Mr Andrews to get the clamp removed and he was clearly obstructing me.”