Nigel Farage attacker pleads guilty after throwing milkshake at Reform UK leader
Nigel Farage attacker pleads guilty after throwing milkshake at Reform UK leader
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A woman has pleaded guilty to assault by beating and criminal damage in court today after she threw a milkshake over Nigel Farage outside a pub on Clacton-on-Sea.
Victoria Thomas Bowen, 25, also admitted criminal damage after causing £17.50 worth of damage to a jacket belonging to Farage’s security officer James Woolfenden.
Farage, who is now Clacton MP, was doused as he left the Moon and Starfish Wetherspoon pub in the Essex seaside town on June 4.
Thomas Bowen had originally denied the charges and was due to go on trial at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday but changed her pleas to guilty before proceedings began.
Nigel Farage attacker pleads guilty after throwing milkshake at Reform UK leader
Nigel Farage attacker pleads guilty after throwing milkshake at Reform UK leaderPAFarage had earlier addressed supporters at a rally during the General Election campaign and was left with the yellow liquid splattered across his dark blue suit.
At an earlier hearing, a lawyer for Bowen said she "strongly protests her innocence."
Deputy senior district judge Tan Ikram adjourned sentencing to December 16 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."
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Victoria Thomas Bowen
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In a witness statement read out in court, 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."
He added: "I’m saddened that this has happened at a public campaign."
Thomas Bowen was arrested shortly after the incident and told police in an interview that she saw a post online advertising Farage’s attendance that day, the court heard. She told officers she "does not agree with his political views."
Nigel Farage had a milkshake thrown over him while campaigning
GETTYShe said she was outside the pub when she saw him leaving and decided to act because she "had the opportunity".
Giving details from her 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."
Thomas Bowen told police officers she did not intend the cup to hit Farage.