A Suffolk court has dropped the case against a man who allegedly disrupted a memorial service for the Queen. 

Ethan Stapley, of Buttercup Drive in Bradwell, Norfolk, was accused of disturbing a remembrance service in Great Yarmouth Minster on September 18, the evening before the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The service was led by the Bishop of Thetford, the Rt Rev Alan Winton.

It was alleged that he was let into the service, he walked around the building, made comments about the late Queen, said he wouldn't like to take a seat, and at one point walked in front of the bishop while he was giving his sermon.

Ipswich Star: Ethan Stapley appeared at Suffolk Magistrates Court on Monday.Ethan Stapley appeared at Suffolk Magistrates Court on Monday. (Image: Archant)

The 23-year-old appeared in Suffolk Magistrates Court on the morning of Monday, February 20.

While the prosecuting solicitor applied for an adjournment, Stapley, representing himself, said the case has been "hanging over" him for a long period of time already, and being pushed back even further would be another "indirect punishment".

The magistrates decided that due to the effect on Stapley's wellbeing, the trial should not be pushed back, and in response the prosecutor dropped the case against him.

In response, Stapley said: "That's a shame. The law has largely unchanged since 1860. How can that be compatible with my human rights?"

Telling him he was free to go, the chairman of the bench said: "You are going to have to debate this issue with someone else. I am sorry you are not having your day in court."

He was charged with using abusive or theatening words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

He was also charged with the 150-year-old crime of disturbing a preacher ministering a service in a church, contrary to the Ecclesiastical Courts Jurisdiction Act 1860.

He denied the two charges in Great Yarmouth Magistrates Court on November 2, claiming his behaviour was freedom of expression.

There were a number of dignitaries at this service, the court heard, including a police superintendent, councillors and members of the public.

The superintendent was not on duty, but took it upon himself to remove Stapley from the venue.