Nigel Farage attacker DODGES JAIL after hurling block of cement at Reform leader

Nigel Farage

Nigel Farage

PA
Jack Walters

By Jack Walters


Published: 28/08/2024

- 14:43

Updated: 28/08/2024

- 18:27

The Reform UK leader's battle

bus was pelted with a coffee cup while campaigning in Barnsley on June 11

The man who hurled objects at Nigel Farage's election battle bus in Barnsley has avoided jail time after being slapped with a suspended sentence at Barnsley Magistrates' Court.

Josh Greally, 28, was sentenced to six weeks in prison, suspended to 12 months.


He was also ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work, 20 rehabilitation activity days and pay £85 court costs, with an additional £154 surcharge.

Greally pleaded guilty to a public order offence at Barnsley Magistrates' Court.

Nigel Farage attacker DODGES JAIL after hurling rubbish at Reform leader

Nigel Farage attacker DODGES JAIL after hurling rubbish at Reform leader

PA

He admitted using threatening, abusive, insulting words and behaviour with intent to cause fear or provoke unlawful violence.

Greally was filmed hurling objects from a fenced-off construction site at the Reform UK's battle bus as it roamed around Barnsley on June 11.

Farage was on the top deck of the bus at the time and was addressing supporters in the Yorkshire town.

The 60-year-old, who ended his electoral hoodoo by entering the House of Commons after July 4, was separately milkshaked after stepping out of the Moon & Starfish pub in the seaside town of Clacton.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage makes a speech on the Reform UK campaign bus in Barnsley, South Yorkshire

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage makes a speech on the Reform UK campaign bus in Barnsley, South Yorkshire

PA

The Clacton attacker was ordered to pay his suit-cleaning bill after pleading guilty to common assault and causing criminal damage.

Responding to the Barnsley incident at the time, Farage said: "My huge thanks to South Yorkshire Police today.

"I will not be bullied or cowed by a violent left-wing mob who hate our country."

Speaking shortly after the incident, Farage explained: "I tell you what I'm worried about, if you think about this, a week after we commemorate D-Day, which was done so that we could live in a democracy, where we can agree to disagree, we can be very passionate, but agree to disagree, what we've now got is a mob that wants to close down all debate.

Josh Greally arrives Barnsley Magistrates' Court, where he was given a suspended prison sentence after throwing items at Nigel Farage during the General Election campaign

Josh Greally arrives Barnsley Magistrates' Court, where he was given a suspended prison sentence after throwing items at Nigel Farage during the General Election campaign

PA

"A mob that is prepared to use violence to achieve their goals and that for a democratic country is very, very worrying indeed."

He added: "I'm used to it. I don't like it, of course not. This is stopping me from doing what I want to do.

"I'm at my best going out meeting people and talking to them, having a debate with them. You know, going around the pubs or whatever I do.

"These violent youngsters are stopping me, it's very, very frustrating.”

However, Farage also quipped he is "used to it" after being involved in a number of other confrontational incidents since rising to the heights of political stardom.

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