A Dundee man who admitted stalking the Queen and her staff, threatening she “would die” as “judgment day beckons”, will be sentenced next month.
Derek Paul Milne, 37, had targeted Balmoral Castle and Buckingham Palace, alarming members of staff over a two-year period, the city’s sheriff court heard.
He had originally appeared in September at Dundee Sheriff Court on a petition and was remanded in custody while the Crown made further investigations.
The case called again in December and was reduced to a summary complaint, whereupon Milne pleaded guilty to two charges and was granted bail pending background reports.
He appeared for sentencing on Friday and his solicitor, Kevin Hampton, told the court there was a detailed report from the social work department and that Milne’s father was also in court to support him.
He told Sheriff Kenneth McGowan: “This is an unusual case and I’m not sure the criminal justice system is able to deal with him in the normal way.
“He has been in custody for the equivalent of a six-month sentence and he has not been in trouble since he was granted bail in December.
“He had a very frightening experience when he was in custody and he realises his actions were misguided.”
He added: “I accept there were some concerns in the report and if your lordship felt further assessments were required he is fully prepared to accept that.”
Sheriff McGowan agreed, saying: “I want to keep a close eye on this man.”
He noted no psychological assessment had been completed during the period of deferral and said he felt it would be appropriate for that course of action to take place.
“I will defer sentence for a psychological assessment and your bail will be continued,” he told Milne.
Milne admitted that between July 10 and August 11 2013, at 14 Loons Road, he uttered threats to the Queen, sent a letter addressed to her which stated that she would die and that “judgment day beckons”.
He further admitted that between June 2 2011 and August 29 2013, at Loons Road, Balmoral Castle, Balmoral Estates, Ballater, and Buckingham Palace, plus elsewhere unknown, he caused fear and alarm to the Queen and her staff, persistently telephoned and demanded information about her movements and access to her diary, attended at royal residences and demanded information about the Queen and personal information about her employees.
Sentence was deferred until February 28 and his bail was continued.