An accused eBay fraudster who claimed he was selling the late Queen's walking stick had a stash of pictures of her and Princess Diana when police raided his home, a court heard.
Magistrates were told Dru Marshall's collection at his Southampton home included several images of the Queen - including a large framed portrait - a Vogue magazine with Princess Diana on the cover and a photo book of the former Princess of Wales.
The 26-year-old is on trial where he denies fraud.
READ MORE: Romsey man accused of fraud by advertising late Queen's stick on Ebay
Southampton Magistrates' Court heard an eBay advert said he was a footman at Windsor Castle and proceeds from the stick's sale were going to Cancer Research UK - with bids reaching £540.
This attracted police attention - and following a raid, in which his laptop was seized, officers discovered his search history included how to remove an eBay advertisement and "good solicitors Southampton".
Defending, John Reynolds accepted that there were "quite a lot of items relating to monarchy" at the home.
Placed online on September 16, just eight days after Queen Elizabeth's passing, the advert said the walking stick was being listed with the permission of the Royal household, the court was told.
In the post, Marshall said: "It was a massive honour serving under the Queen's leadership".
But prosecutor Laura Jenking-Rees told magistrates: "He was being dishonest. He did not have the Queen's walking stick.
"He was not a footman and he was not raising money for charity".
According to the prosecution, the Royal Protection branch of the Metropolitan Police spotted the eBay ad and officers were sent to Marshall's family home on September 22.
They were told he was living in East Street in Southampton.
So the next day, police carried out the warrant, startling Marshall's partner who was home at the time and photographing and seizing possessions including the laptop and a phone.
But hours before, the eBay ad had been removed - with Marshall telling the highest bidder he had been locked out of his account.
Police told Marshall's partner to call him home and he was arrested upon his return, the court heard.
During his interview, Marshall claimed his eBay account may have been compromised and that he suspected a friend.
Marshall, now of Clarendon Close, Romsey, denies fraud by false representation in that he intended to make a financial gain from the ad.
The trial was adjourned until November 6.
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