A man has received a sentence of 32 weeks in prison after breaking into Kensington Palace twice in the days leading up to Christmas.

Derek Egan, 39, admitted to two charges of trespassing on a restricted area and told Westminster Magistrates Court that he went to the palace simply “because I am a criminal.”

Egan, who resides in Hillingdon, also violated his bail terms which prohibited him from returning to the location.

The west London palace occasionally serves as residence for the Prince and Princess of Wales along with their children.

Deputy Senior District Judge Tan Ikram imposed a 16-week prison sentence for each trespassing incident, ordering that these terms be served one after the other.

The court heard that Egan first illegally entered the palace grounds on December 22 at approximately 04:00 GMT by climbing over a fence.

After being apprehended, he was taken to a police station and released on bail, only to return the next day.

During the sentencing, the judge inquired why he had returned, to which Egan responded, “Because I am a criminal.”

The judge followed up with questions about Egan’s well-being, asking, “Are you well? Are there any issues in your life?” Egan replied that everything was “fine.”

The judge noted the possibility of incarceration as a punishment, and Egan stated, “I suppose I am happy as a criminal to follow whatever judgment you and your court deliver today.”

The judge, who allowed Egan to represent himself, emphasized the seriousness of his actions.

Trespassing on a designated protected site is a criminal offense under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (Socpa) 2005.

Additionally, a new exclusion zone has recently been established around the family’s new residence in Windsor Great Park, known as Forest Lodge.