Caught on camera: The moment a royal guardsman attacked a tourist who mimicked his marching

Caught on camera: The moment a royal guardsman attacked a tourist who mimicked his marching

By Benedict Moore-bridger
Last updated at 9:29 AM on 23rd January 2009

A guard outside St James's Palace attacked a tourist who was copying his distinctive marching actions, it was revealed today.

The Guardsman, who is supposed never to leave his post unless there is a threat to a member of the royal family, was provoked into lunging at tourist Nick Ibarra, clipping him around the head and aiming a kick at him.

It is understood the guard now faces the prospect of a 'dressing down' from his superiors.


Colombian tourist Nicolas Ibarra decides to match the guardsman's steps outside St James' Palace


The student is having a great time impersonating the guard who does not seem amused by his antics

The attack was captured on film by the 23-year-old's friend Suzanne Cadosch.

When the Colombian student began mimicking the guard, he lost his cool and went for Mr Ibarra.

The Oxford University student also claims he was pushed away by the guard, who used his SA-80 semi-automatic rifle while letting out a furious roar.

Ms Cadosch had stopped filming as she was so frightened.


Mr Ibarra continues to follow and copy the guard


Having had enough the sentry loses his cool and turns around

'I felt this huge hand on my collar and managed to avoid a boot up the backside but he was growling-like a bear,' he said.

'I was worried because he had a bayonet on his gun and didn't want that going somewhere painful. He pushed me away with the gun and I just ran for it.'

The guardsman, who is with the 1st Battalion of the Scots Guards of the Guards Division, was on sentry duty.

Clarence House where Prince Charles lives is within St James's environs.


The guard grabs Mr Ibarra by the collar


The soldier snaps and pushes the student away before noticing the camera and doing an about face

Ms Cadosch said: 'I just thought "Oh My God, he's got a gun and he's going for Nick". He grabbed him and tried to boot him.

'You often see people pulling faces at the guards and marching along with them but obviously this soldier didn't find it funny.

'In hindsight I can understand the soldier losing his cool but it was very frightening.'

A fellow guard said: 'You can understand him wanting to put a hobnailed size 12 up the guy's backside for taking the p****.

'But he will be in hot water for losing his cool when he should have ignored it.'

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said it will try to identify the guard and 'speak to him about his behaviour'.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1126871/Caught-camera-The-moment-royal-guardsman-attacked-tourist-mimicked-marching.html