LONDON: A British man was jailed on Friday for attempting to steal a priceless 1215 original version of Magna Carta, which has defined rights and liberties around the world.

Mark Royden attacked the protective glass surrounding the manuscript at Salisbury Cathedral in southern England but was chased off by two American tourists and cornered by a group of stonemasons. The 47-year-old was found guilty in January of attempted theft and criminal damage to the security case costing £14,466 ($18,295, 16,172 euros).

Sentencing him to four years in jail on Friday, judge Richard Parkes said he had made a "determined attempt" to steal a document of "huge historical importance" to the world.

Prosecutors said Royden believed the Salisbury Magna Carta was a fake and that he came equipped to carry out the theft on October 25, 2018 with a hammer, gloves and safety goggles.