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Sunday, 16 June, 2002, 05:19 GMT 06:19 UK
Jubilee baton snatcher charged
Robert Owen carries the baton past Conwy Castle, Conwy
Robert Owen carries the baton past Conwy Castle
A 35-year-old man has been charged by police after the Queen's Jubilee Baton was grabbed from a runner's hand.

The baton was snatched as Wrexham runner Daniel Wilkinson passed through the town of Connah's Quay, in north Wales, on Saturday afternoon.

Baton snatch suspect, Connahs Quay
A man was arrested in connection with the incident

The man arrested by police has been charged with using threating, insulting and abusive language and behaviour, following the incident outside The Boathouse public house.

He was arrested by a Hampshire police officer - who was on security duty during the relay - and then handed over to North Wales Police.

He was questioned at Mold police station before being charged.

The high-tech baton, fitted with sensors which monitor the runner's pulse, before transforming it into a blade of blue light, is making its way around the Commonwealth as part of the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations.

A North Wales Police spokesman said: "A man took the baton from one of the runners.

"He was arrested at the scene by police and members of the public and the baton was recovered from him.

Welsh swimmer Llinos Hughes carries the Baton through Beaumaris, Wales
Welsh swimmer Llinos Hughes in Beaumaris

"The relay continued without further incident."

Queen's Jubilee Baton Relay spokeswoman Jackie Brock-Doyle said she suspected over-excitement on the day of England's World Cup win over Denmark had something to do with it.

"One of the people in the crowd came out and grabbed the baton but security guards were there immediately and the runner was fine," she said.

"I think it was probably high jinks by people who had been watching the football."

The Queen's Jubilee Baton Relay started at Buckingham Palace on 11 March and has travelled to Canada, the Caribbean, Africa, Australasia, Asia and Europe before arriving in Belfast for the UK leg on 6 June.

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"The disturbance led to a man being arrested and charged"

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