Piper denies attacking police officers
A former Scots Guard piper denied assaulting three police officers during a Remembrance Sunday confrontation and asked to be tried by a jury.
Ben Buckland, 47, allegedly marched up to police lines blowing his bagpipes as they blocked the Cenotaph war memorial in Whitehall on 8 November.
Footage from the incident shows Buckland walking forward before swerving to the left and crashing into the police barrier.
He is then seen to be pushed backwards by a Metropolitan Police officer before stumbling and falling to the ground in front of dozens of veterans gathered at the memorial.
Prosecutors claim Buckland tried to provoke police by ‘breaking’ the line as officers enforced strict coronavirus restrictions.
The former UKIP council candidate is charged with assaulting PC Steven Kernohan, PC Nathan Rolfe and PC Michael Jones.
Prosecutor Arfan Ahmed said: ‘The defendant has bagpipes and he has tried to break his way across a police border and he effectively assaults the officer.
‘He is then pushed back by one of the officers, then he goes and assaults another officer.’
Appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in a brown tweed jacket pierced with a golden veteran badge, Buckland asked for a crown court trial – despite being advised otherwise.
He said: ‘With absolute respect, I would rather take this to the crown court and be judged by my peers.’
Bench Chair Lariss Keown granted Buckland unconditional bail but warned him about the consequences of committing ‘a further offence’ or not attending his next crown court hearing.
She said: ‘That is an imprisonable offence for which you can be fined, imprisoned, or both.’
Interjecting, the bagpiper said: ‘If I commit a further offence? But what if I am not found guilty? It is not a further offence if I am found not guilty.’
Ms Keown replied: ‘Just stay out of trouble.’
Buckland, of Petersfield Avenue, Romford, Essex, denies three counts of assault by beating of an emergency worker.
He was bailed ahead of a pre-trial hearing at Inner London Crown Court on 3 June
