Man accused of kidnap plot was 'acting for the King'

Matthew Martin claimed his work had previously been approved by Queen Elizabeth II

A man accused of attempting to kidnap a coroner told his trial he was a "servant of the crown" who was tackling "state child trafficking".

Matthew Martin, 47, is alleged to have been part of an "anti-establishment cult" who stormed into Essex Coroner's Court, Chelmsford, to try to abduct senior coroner Lincoln Brookes.

When giving evidence, Mr Martin said he had "never even met" the coroner and added: "I don't know who he is."

The defendant, from Plaistow, east London, has denied conspiracy to kidnap and conspiracy to commit false imprisonment.

The trial at Chelmsford Crown Court previously heard Mr Martin was a "sheriff" for the so-called Federal Postal Court.

The jury has been handed documents by the defendants explaining more about their online movement

Mr Martin told jurors he believed his sheriff duties had been approved by Queen Elizabeth II and then King Charles III.

"I'm dealing with state child trafficking for a living," he said from the witness box.

"It's nothing to do with terrorism or a cult, it's strictly facts."

The jury has been shown a video of Mr Martin among a group wearing high-visibility jackets and holding handcuffs as they entered courtroom two at Seax House in Chelmsford.

It has been alleged Mr Martin, Mark Christopher, 58, Shiza Harper, 45, and Sean Harper, 38, wanted to kidnap Mr Brookes, who was not at court that day.

Sean Harper and Shiza Harper were part of a group that stormed Essex Coroner's Court in Chelmsford

Mr Martin said he was following orders from Mr Christopher - the so-called chief judge of the Federal Postal Court - when he entered the courtroom.

"My job is protect the judge, that’s what I did," he said. "I was a servant of the crown.

"I couldn't give a monkey's if Lincoln Brookes stole Fort Knox."

Mr Martin handed members of the press in attendance a copy of a book written on behalf of Mr Christopher.

It was entitled: "The facts that destroy all Parliamentary systems, governments and their acts".

Prosecutor Allister Walker previously said Mr Christopher, from Forest Gate, east London, had "self-conferred" legal powers.

He said the group wanted to "ultimately incite kidnap and corporal punishment to the senior coroner".

Their mission was to "close down the courts" in Essex, Mr Walker told the jury.

Shiza and Sean Harper were arrested by armed police officers having parked their car in Southend, jurors were told

Ms Harper and Mr Harper, from South Benfleet, Essex, are also on trial and deny conspiracy to kidnap and conspiracy to commit false imprisonment, as does Mr Christopher.

Mr Martin also denies assault by beating of a security guard at the court and the damage of his spectacles.

Mr Christopher, from Forest Gate, east London, has pleaded not guilty to sending threatening letters to Mr Brookes with intent to cause distress or anxiety.

The co-defendants are expected to give their own evidence in due course as the trial continues.