Prof Chris Whitty: Man sentenced for St James's Park assault

Estate agent Lewis Hughes in video footage from the incident at about 19:20 BST on 27 June

A man has been sentenced for assaulting England's chief medical officer Chris Whitty in central London.

Lewis Hughes, 24, from Romford, east London, admitted one charge of assault by beating Prof Whitty in St James's Park on 27 June.

He was given an eight-week custodial sentence, suspended for two years, and a fine of £100.

Jonathan Chew, 24, from Chelmsford, Essex pleaded not guilty to the same charge of assault by beating.

Footage, which was shared on social media, showed two men grabbing Prof Whitty, who struggled to free himself.

Hughes was "unreservedly apologetic" for the distress caused to Prof Whitty in what had been "10 seconds of complete and utter madness", Westminster Magistrates' Court heard.

Lewis Hughes was given an eight-week custodial sentence, suspended for two years

Prof Whitty described being put into a loose headlock by Hughes and had tried to break free from two men, the court heard.

Addressing Hughes, Judge Paul Goldspring said: "He (Prof Whitty) goes about his very difficult job without the expectation [of] yobs like you accosting him, assaulting him and then to compound it all, he is further humiliated by the video posted.

"I recognise that you did not post it on the internet".

Jonathan Chew pleaded not guilty to assault by beating and will go on trial in November

During the same hearing, Mr Chew also denied a second charge of obstructing a police constable in execution of his duty.

He was granted bail and was asked to appear at the same court on 23 November for trial where Prof Whitty will be called to give evidence.

Prosecutor Luke Staton told the court that England's chief medical officer initially did not want to make a complaint, but when the footage was posted online he pursued the matter.

The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation after the incident, and officers carried out a welfare check on Prof Whitty, who did not suffer any injuries.

'Wanted a selfie for his mum'

Kalsoom Shah, from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said Hughes showed "little regard" for Prof Whitty or social distancing rules "when he accosted the government's chief medical officer in the street".

"His behaviour was both shocking and disgraceful," she said.

Hughes' barrister, Laurie-Anne Power told the court that her client had recognised Prof Whitty from the television and that he wanted a selfie for his mum.

He would have done the same thing if he had seen Justin Bieber in the park, the court heard.