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Climber who scaled The Shard unaided is detained | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A free-solo climber who scaled one of Europe's tallest buildings unaided has been detained for six months. | |
George King-Thompson, from Oxford, climbed the 310-metre (1,017ft) Shard skyscraper in London on 8 July. | George King-Thompson, from Oxford, climbed the 310-metre (1,017ft) Shard skyscraper in London on 8 July. |
The 20-year-old was given a police caution at the time but the building's owners began legal proceedings against him for breaching an injunction. | The 20-year-old was given a police caution at the time but the building's owners began legal proceedings against him for breaching an injunction. |
King-Thompson appeared at the High Court where he admitted being in contempt of court. | King-Thompson appeared at the High Court where he admitted being in contempt of court. |
London Bridge Station was briefly closed when the 20-year-old took 45 minutes to make the free-solo climb - without ropes or protective equipment - at about 05:00 BST. | |
David Forsdick QC, representing The Shard's owners Teighmore Limited, earlier told the court that King-Thompson had been planning the climb for about eight months, including moving to east London and visiting the building up to 200 times "specifically to prepare" for it. | David Forsdick QC, representing The Shard's owners Teighmore Limited, earlier told the court that King-Thompson had been planning the climb for about eight months, including moving to east London and visiting the building up to 200 times "specifically to prepare" for it. |
In his written case, he said the 20-year-old "knew of The Shard injunction" and "recognised that the climb was illegal" by using the hashtag "rooftopillegal" when he posted a video of his efforts on Instagram. | In his written case, he said the 20-year-old "knew of The Shard injunction" and "recognised that the climb was illegal" by using the hashtag "rooftopillegal" when he posted a video of his efforts on Instagram. |
The climb was also a "highly dangerous trespass, both to him [King-Thompson] and potentially to members of the emergency services and the public if he had fallen", Mr Forsdick said. | The climb was also a "highly dangerous trespass, both to him [King-Thompson] and potentially to members of the emergency services and the public if he had fallen", Mr Forsdick said. |
Philip McGhee, for King-Thompson, told the court his client "wishes to make an unreserved apology for his actions" including to those who were "inconvenienced" by London Bridge Station being closed. | Philip McGhee, for King-Thompson, told the court his client "wishes to make an unreserved apology for his actions" including to those who were "inconvenienced" by London Bridge Station being closed. |
He explained the free-solo climber had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and had not been seeking "fame or notoriety", but had "laudable aims" to "inspire others". | |
"Mr King-Thompson will not climb another building in the UK. He very much regrets and is very sorry for doing what he did," he said. | "Mr King-Thompson will not climb another building in the UK. He very much regrets and is very sorry for doing what he did," he said. |
Sentencing him to six months in a young offenders institution, Mr Justice Murray said the defendant's breach of the order, which was designed to deter trespassers, had been "deliberate and knowing". | Sentencing him to six months in a young offenders institution, Mr Justice Murray said the defendant's breach of the order, which was designed to deter trespassers, had been "deliberate and knowing". |
He said despite King-Thompson's "young age and previous good character, it is not a sentence I am able to suspend". | He said despite King-Thompson's "young age and previous good character, it is not a sentence I am able to suspend". |
Real Estate Management (UK) Limited which manages The Shard, said it hoped "today's outcome will deter other prospective climbers, and help them recognise the great dangers that these actions pose". | Real Estate Management (UK) Limited which manages The Shard, said it hoped "today's outcome will deter other prospective climbers, and help them recognise the great dangers that these actions pose". |