Sheffield student denies knife offence at Buckingham Palace gates

A Sheffield student has denied having a folded knife at Buckingham Palace.

By The Newsroom

Published 12th Oct 2016, 13:52 BST

Updated 25th Oct 2016, 18:59 BST

Buckingham Palace and Queen Victoria Memorial viewed from the Mall
Copyright: David Dixon — Buckingham Palace and Queen Victoria Memorial viewed from the Mall Copyright: David Dixon

Hang Zhang, aged 25, of Hawley Street, city centre, pleaded not guilty to a charge of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, when he appeared at London's Westminster Magistrates' Court via video-link.

Zhang, who has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act, was found at the main gate of the Palace in central London on August 12.

Queen Elizabeth II at the gates at Balmoral. Pic: PA

He opted for a trial at the magistrates' court. A date has not yet been fixed.

Chinese national Zhang, is a student at Sheffield University.

He was ordered to next appear at a preliminary hearing on October 26. The venue has yet to be fixed.