Woman sentenced for hurling milkshake at Farage

Nigel Farage was leaving the Moon and Starfish pub, in Clacton-on-Sea, when he was attacked

A woman who threw a McDonald's milkshake over Reform UK leader Nigel Farage during the general election campaign has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Victoria Thomas Bowen hurled the drink at Farage as he left a JD Wetherspoon pub in Clacton-on-Sea on 4 June, having just launched his candidacy for the Essex constituency.

Thomas Bowen has been given a 13-week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, must pay the MP £150 compensation, complete 120 hours of unpaid work and pay £450 in court costs.

Following her sentencing, Farage posted on social media: "We now live in a country where you can assault a Member of Parliament and not go to prison."

Thomas Bowen, 25 from Clacton, admitted assault by beating and criminal damage at a previous court hearing.

She attacked Farage as he left the Moon and Starfish pub on Clacton seafront.

In a statement read by prosecutors during sentencing at Westminster Magistrates' Court, Farage said he "felt humiliated" by the incident and was left fearing for his safety in public.

He added he was "deeply thoughtful for some time afterwards that next time it may not be a milkshake".

Farage's security officer, James Woolfenden, also had his suit damaged by the milkshake, and Thomas Bowen was also ordered to pay him £17.50 compensation for the criminal damage.

Deputy senior district judge Tan Ikram told the defendant she must also pay a victim surcharge of £154 and complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Thomas Bowen, who is an OnlyFans model, had originally denied the charges and was due to go on trial at the same court in October, but changed her pleas to guilty before proceedings began.

In her interview with police, she said she targeted Farage because she did not agree with his political views.

Farage was standing in the constituency for the first time and won the seat, securing a large swing from the Conservatives' Giles Watling, who had a 24,702 majority in 2019.

Farage secured a majority of 8,405 on 4 July in what was his eighth attempt to get elected to the House of Commons.

Victoria Thomas Bowen has "suffered multiple threats" since the incident, her lawyer said

Thomas Bowen's lawyer said she had received "multiple threats" since throwing the milkshake at Farage.

In a statement following the sentencing, Caroline Liggins said: "She understands the gravity of the situation in which her impulsive decision has placed her.

"She has suffered multiple threats since this happened, which have had a serious impact on her mental health.

"Victoria understands the impact of her actions and wishes to put the whole episode behind her. She hopes others can do the same."

Nigel Farage, who posed with a milkshake later on the day of the attack in neighbouring Jaywick, told the court he "felt humiliated" by the incident

Rebecca Mundy, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said it was of "paramount importance" that elected officials felt safe to work "without fear of harm or abuse".

"Threatening behaviour and attacks on electoral candidates and officials will never be tolerated," she added.

In August, Josh Greally, of Clowne, Derbyshire, was given a suspended sentence for throwing a coffee cup and another item at Farage while he was campaigning in Barnsley.

During a campaign walkabout in Newcastle in 2019, the former UKIP leader and Euro MP had a banana and salted caramel milkshake thrown at him.

"Milkshaking" - the act of dousing public figures with the drink - was recognised as a word by the Collins Dictionary in 2019.