A man accused of hoarding more than half a million pounds in "dirty" cash told a court he was part of a criminal network which had the power to "topple governments and royalty".

The statement made by Robert Brett-Deans was read out by his solicitor at Croydon Crown Court on Friday, August 3, during a hearing to determine whether sufficient psychiatric tests had been carried out on the defendant.

Mr Brett-Deans is accused of being in possession of hundreds of thousands of pounds in bank notes made from criminal activity which includes £500,000 found in a hotel room in Brighton Road, South Croydon.

Police also allegedly found £20,000 in his Ferarri Spider when they pulled him over in Grange Road, as well as sledgehammers, balaclavas, superglue, rope and batteries.

The 33-year-old, of no fixed address, was due to enter a plea concerning two charges of possessing the proceeds of crime. But the hearing was adjourned because the results of previous psychiatric tests were not complete.

When asked to confirm his name, Mr Brett-Deans told the court: "I have changed my name to Jason."

His solicitor Damian Powell then made a statement on behalf of his client. Mr Powell said: "I have taken instructions and my client wants me to say the following.

"He intends to enter a guilty plea to the charges and he wants that taken into consideration when sentencing that guilty plea.

"My client says he is a member of an international criminal syndicate which has access to endless resources to topple governments, prime ministers, presidents, kings and queens and can even make pancakes."

Concerns over Mr Brett-Deans' mental health were highlighted at an earlier hearing at the end of June, during which he dismissed his previous solicitor.

During that hearing the judge adjourned his hearing in order for Mr Brett-Deans to find new representation and for his mental health to be investigated.

Mr Brett-Deans' plea and case management hearing was adjourned until August 31 when the results of psychiatric tests are due back.