Woman pleads guilty to assault after throwing milkshake at Nigel Farage during election campaign
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A 25-year-old woman has pleaded guilty to assault after throwing a milkshake at Nigel Farage during the general election campaign.
Victoria Thomas Bowen, from Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London this morning charged with assault by beating and criminal damage.
She had initially denied the charges, but changed her pleas to guilty before her trial was due to begin this morning.
Mr Farage, 60, was covered with a drink as he left the Moon and Starfish Wetherspoon’s pub in Clacton-on-Sea on 4 June.
Prosecutors alleged that £17.50 worth of criminal damage was caused to a jacket belonging to Mr Farage’s security officer, James Woolfenden.
He had addressed supporters at a rally earlier in the day and was left with the yellow liquid splattered across his dark blue suit.
Deputy senior district judge Tan Ikram adjourned sentencing to 16 December and told the defendant: “You have pleaded guilty to, in my judgment, two serious charges.
“This was an unprovoked, targeted attack now on an elected Member of Parliament. I take a serious view of these offences.
“I am seeking a pre-sentence report which will consider all options for sentence.”
Victoria Thomas Bowen leaving Westminster Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to assault by beating and criminal damage. Pic: PA
In a witness statement read out in court, Mr Farage said he was not injured but “this incident caused me concern as I have only been going about my job” and that he tries to “have as much public engagement as possible”.
“I’m saddened that this has happened at a public campaign,” he added.
Thomas Bowen was arrested shortly after the incident. She told police she saw a post online advertising Mr Farage’s rally in Clacton-on-Sea that day, the court heard.
She told officers she “does not agree with his political views”.
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She said she was outside the pub when she saw him leaving and decided to act because she “had the opportunity”.
Giving details from Thomas Bowen’s police interview, prosecutor Nishma Shah told the court: “She acknowledges that this was an assault and that the liquid would have gone over the jackets of him and others and caused them to get cleaning, but she states that Nigel would be able to afford this.
“She states she did not regret her actions.”
Nigel Farage after the milkshake was thrown over him during the election campaign. Pic: PA
She told police she did not intend for the cup to hit Mr Farage.
When asked why Thomas Bowen changed her plea on the day of trial, Andrew Price, defending, told the judge: “This case has had a tremendous impact on this defendant.
“There have been a number of threats made against this defendant and she as much as possible wanted to put it out of her mind and avoid making the decision that she ultimately has come to.”
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The barrister earlier made a successful application to the court to allow Thomas Bowen not to read her address out in open court, explaining “very severe threats have been made” concerning the case.
She was granted unconditional bail ahead of her sentencing.
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In August, a man who threw items at Mr Farage during the election campaign avoided being sent to prison.
Josh Greally, 28, pleaded guilty to a public order offence after throwing what appeared to be a disposable coffee cup and another object at the Reform UK leader in Barnsley town centre, South Yorkshire, on 11 June.
He was sentenced to six weeks in jail, suspended for 12 months, as well as being ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work, 20 rehabilitation activity days and pay court costs.
Nigel Farage is now the MP for Clacton after winning the seat in the 4 July election with a majority of 8,405.
