21 Jan 2010

Prince's barbecue gatecrasher escapes charges

9:30 am on 21 January 2010

The police have decided not to lay charges against the man who scaled the fence of the Prime Minister's residence in Wellington on Monday, where an event was being held for Prince William.

As part of a prank for a local radio station, Warwick Slow entered the grounds of Premier House in an attempt to gatecrash a barbecue attended by the prince.

Mr Slow, 19, says he brought along a packet of sausages and mingled briefly with guests before being evicted half an hour before the prince arrived.

Wellington police area commander, Inspector Peter Cowan, says Mr Slow will not be charged because he had no intention to commit a criminal offence while on the property.

He will be issued with a trespass notice in respect of Premier House for a period of two years.