A man armed with a six-inch knife who tried to break into Buckingham Palace to complain about his benefits being cut has been jailed for 16 months.

David Belmar, of Daleview Road, Tottenham, dashed past soldiers of the Queen's Guard and vaulted a vehicle barrier at the north centre gate on October 14, 2013, in an attempt to see the queen.

The 44-year-old was tackled to the ground by armed police in the palace's forecourt as horrified tourists and their children looked on.

A six-inch knife was found hidden inside a plastic bag in his jacket pocket, after officers searched him.

Belmar was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court for trespass of a protected site and possession of a bladed article, yesterday.

Belmar, who admitted the charges in October, was ordered to serve 16 months for possession of the knife and 6 months to run concurrently for trespassing.