So we have a new crime on the books: anyone screaming can be accused of assaulting the queen. Is that worse than blasphemy?

By Vogon Poet | May 8, 2010 1:55 PM

Maybe we should add another one to the list. How about the crime of shouting ´bomb, bomb´ when hearing the shout of a drunken nutter, particularly in a large crowd of people. The poor queen though. It must have been so awful for her being surrounded by armed secret service men when her peasants were panicking and trampling on each other.

By Deep Throat | May 8, 2010 4:21 PM

I am not an expert and I do empathise with the victims of this incident but even I can see that this creates a dangerous precedent.

The only sensible measure arising from this case would be to clear the streets of certain mentally unstable persons who pose a risk to society. I understand that the Dutch are a tolerant nation but tolerating the crazy among the sane will lead to debacles such as the one on Remembrance Day.

By stingo | May 8, 2010 10:38 PM

I see nothing wrong with prosecuting him.

1. He disturbed the peace during an event where you should show nothing than respect.
2. His antics caused almost 50 people to be hurt.
3. He did create a dangerous situation for the queen.

Of course, it seems that we have a growing culture of 'do what ever you want, not matter what'. We need to draw the line somewhere.

Or maybe it would be acceptable to punish him if he actually had a bomb, he hurt 100 people and the queen did get hurt? Or maybe that would be okay too?

By Mr. W | May 9, 2010 8:26 AM

I am under emotional distress from watching this on tv...can I make a claim against this man for this?? I am still awaiting for my money for the depression I suffer when I saw this happen one year ago with the assault of the Queens car

By Howard de Barfield | May 10, 2010 4:03 AM

@ Stingo - ¨clear the streets of certain mentally unstable persons¨

Really? I recall I certain Adolf Hitler did the same thing. What a disgusting suggestion.

I cannot believe the amount of commentators on this subject who are screaming for punishment for the mentally disturbed. Few things are more disturbing to me.

By Deep Troat | May 10, 2010 8:32 AM

Isn't this incident show that the media pushed us to the last limit of insecurity. Where 50 people hurt, because one man just shouted. ARE WE BRAVE enough just to stand calm against just a shout ????????????????

By Jerry | May 10, 2010 11:55 AM

And how is one to test the mental stabilty of people walking through town?

By Geuzen76 | May 10, 2010 12:01 PM

it seems to me that the Homeless has found a home...at least for few years!

By PL | May 10, 2010 1:25 PM

maybe the queen should consider providing better facilities for the mentally ill in her land. if he was known to be disruptive and unstable he shouldnt have been allowed to just wander on up and cause this disruption, i think the police are persecuting him because they failed, again.

By nem | May 10, 2010 2:33 PM

I don't see why the police are charging him, they are not going to get money from the homeless man, and as far as I can see that is all the police are good for in this country, otherwise they leave you hanging. The only time I called 112 they told me to come in the next day and make a report...maybe I should have just "screamed"???

By Unfortunate Resident | May 11, 2010 3:28 PM

I understand the comments of the people above, but I think if you give your opinion you should be well informed about the situation. Last year on Queensday about 8 people died because one man tried to attack the bus the royal family was in. Our national remembrance day is a very serious event, where normal people are full of respect and quiet for two minutes. Disrupting this silence, and in the light of the thread last year, should be understood in a different way. I ask you for some respect for that.

By witness of the incident | May 13, 2010 12:01 PM