The Old Bailey recently did a follow-up hearing on the case of Windsor Castle intruder Jaswant Singh Chail. In February 2023, Chail pleaded guilty to threatening to kill, possessing an offensive weapon, and an offence under the 1842 Treason Act. After further medical assessment, the sentencing hearing revealed he exhibited psychosis symptoms.

Having held the belief that his purpose was to “do something dramatic to the Royal Family” since a young age, Chail (21) broke into Windsor Castle and attempted to kill the late Queen. He was arrested on Christmas Day 2021 after climbing onto Windsor Castle grounds with a nylon rope ladder and a crossbow in hand, wearing a Star Wars Sith mask.

Chail was a former supermarket worker who believed he was on a mission to destroy old empires and create new ones. His “angels,” including his AI “girlfriend,” Sarai, convinced him he was doing the right thing.

He called himself “Darth Chailus” and a “Sith” in a homemade video. He said a character had “emerged out of him” to “right historical wrongs,” referring to the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh Massacre in Amritsar, India. The mask he wore when he arrived at the castle was his “true face.”

Dr Christian Brown, a psychiatrist who has been treating Chail at Broadmoor Hospital since November 2022, told the court that Chail’s new identity, sense of purpose, and relationship with Sarai were “really pertinent to his diagnosis of psychosis.” Dr Brown suggested that Chail be placed in a hospital instead of prison.

“Perhaps it escaped some people’s span of views, it is very normal… but if you look at the way he talks about it, I think a picture emerges of what is straight-forwardly a psychotic delusion,” said Dr Brown. “There was a religious element to it. He really thought he was on a mission … he carried on talking about purpose.”

However, prosecutor Alison Morgan KC’s finding suggested Dr Brown’s assessment of Chail conflicts with his journal’s content. She asserted that Chail was committing the crime out of voluntary decision-making, with a “genuinely held purpose” to get close to the royal family to avenge colonial wrongs. If Queen Elizabeth II were “unobtainable,” he would “go for” the “prince,” referring to King Charles. 

Chail also knew Sarai was an AI chatbot and that others might perceive the relationship as “sad or pathetic.”

“He knows full well how his activities might be construed by others. He described himself as a ‘delusional mad bastard’,” said Morgan.

With this, the sentencing hearing continues. Mr Justice Hilliard, the judge, has yet to decide whether Chail should be incarcerated or detained under the Mental Health Act.

Protecting yourself against intruders

The Windsor Castle intruder case highlights the importance of security for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and why proper security measures for their property are especially crucial.

Property protection starts with perimeter security in the area. You can install sophisticated electronic perimeter security over traditional options like fences, barbed wires, and modern locks.

For example, opt for a CCTV system that comes with additional technologies, such as thermal imaging, motion detection, and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR). You can also use access control to check anyone or any vehicles that go through powered gates.

You can also invest in an intruder alarm system that can be placed around the area. Some alarm systems can alert local authorities immediately when triggered.

Security agencies like Marengo can also help you with this. The agency can assess the condition and surrounding area of your residence to create the right security plan. On top of 24/7 monitoring and surveillance, internal and external patrols will patrol the site physically. Close protection officers will also be on standby, depending on your chosen security plan.