Magna Carta 'thief' 'threatened man with hammer as he fled Salisbury Cathedral'

Mark Royden also claimed to be "security" when head stonemason Lee Andrews tried to stopped him, after the tool was brandish by the would-be thief.

During the second day of the trial today at Salisbury Crown Court, police body-cam footage was also shown of the moment Royden was arrested, where he claimed staff who apprehended him had "rubbed that hammer right up against me", adding: "I do not know what fingerprints are on that handle".

Royden, from Canterbury, Kent, is accused of using the tool to smash a protective case in his bid to steal the 800-year-old document from Salisbury Cathedral on October 25, 2018, causing more than £14,000-worth of damage.

He denies the charges of attempted theft and criminal damage.

• READ MORE: Magna Carta trial day one - 'Thief' claims document isn't 'authentic'

During today's hearing, the jury of seven women and five men were shown a video of Royden damaging CCTV cameras in the cathedral, which prosecutor Rob Welling said that the defendant had scoped out beforehand.

They then heard about the moments following the attempted theft, in which Mr Welling says Royden pulled a fire alarm before being chased by both staff and members of the public.

Stonemason Lee Andrews said: "I was working in the stonemason's yard when the fire alarm went off. I then saw one of my colleagues coming towards me with a group of people.

Accused: Mark Royden

• READ MORE: CCTV footage released of man accused of attempting to steal Magna Carta

"She was shouting 'stop him, do not let him leave, he tried to steal the Magna Carta'.

"When I heard her shout I stepped in line with him. As he got closer he showed in his left hand that he had a hammer.

"As he showed it, he said 'I wouldn't bother'."

Mr Andrews said that when the tool was brandished by Royden – who he said was wearing yellow gloves and safety goggles, he stepped out of his way to let him pass.

He added: "While walking past me he then said he was security and was checking the security of the place.

"I'd never seen him before."

A screenshot from a police bodycam video of Mark Royden while being arrested.

However, Royden was quickly apprehended by staff before being handed over to police, who he then criticised for "taking your time" and having "no tasers or arms [weapons]". "It's ridiculous," he added.

As reported, Mr Welling claimed that defendant "doubted" the authenticity of Salisbury Cathedral's Magna Carta after making an "odd prepared statement" to police.

This prompted more questions from Nicholas Cotter, defending, who asked cathedral cannon Robert Titley to confirm if it was the real document.

"I'm sure," Rev Titley told the court.

"From my perspective it is an original."

The case continues.