Woman who threw milkshake over ‘humiliated’ Nigel Farage sentenced
Victoria Thomas Bowen, 25, hurled banana-flavoured drink at Reform UK leader outside Clacton pub during general election campaign in what judge calls ‘attack on our parliamentary democracy’
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A woman who admitted to assault by beating after throwing milkshake over “humiliated” Nigel Farage during his election campaign has been spared an immediate jail term.
In what a judge has called “an attack on our parliamentary democarcy”, Victoria Thomas Bowen, 25, hurled a banana-flavoured McDonald’s milkshake at the Reform UK leader outside a pub in Clacton-on-Sea ahead of the general election.
Mr Farage, who is now MP for Clacton, was covered in the drink after the cup was thrown at him as he left the Moon and Starfish Wetherspoon pub in the Essex seaside town on 4 June.
A witness said the defendant, who is an OnlyFans model, shouted “you f****** c***” or something similar, deputy senior district judge Tan Ikram told Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
Thomas Bowen admitted the offence at the same court in October, and also pleaded guilty to causing £17.50 of damage to a jacket belonging to Mr Farage’s security officer, James Woolfenden.
The 25-year-old, of St Osyth Road in the seaside town, was sentenced to 13 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months at Monday’s hearing. Judge Ikram told her she will also have to complete 12 rehabilitation activity requirement days, 120 hours of unpaid work and to pay Mr Farage £150 compensation, £17.50 compensation for the criminal damage, £154 victim surcharge and £450 in costs.
Writing on X after the hearing, Mr Farage criticised the sentence as “the latest example of two-tier justice”. He said: “We now live in a country where you can assault a member of parliament and not go to prison.”
The politician, in a victim impact statement read out by the prosecution, said he “felt humiliated” after the incident with it being “broadcast on national and international media”.
He added he was “deeply thoughtful for some time afterwards that next time it may not be a milkshake” and said the incident is part of “a growing security concern”.
The judge also described the incident as “humiliating” and “in the full glare of cameras”, with a video of the incident widely distributed.
He said it was an “unprovoked targeted attack”, adding: “It is also clear to me irrespective of what you now say that at the time you had no regret at all in attacking the now elected member of parliament for Clacton.”
Before he sentenced Thomas Bowen, Judge Ikram warned: “In recent months I have dealt with several cases of unlawful attacks on politicians, whether online or physical. This is a dangerous trend.”
He continued: “This was an attack on a parliamentary candidate campaigning for election, but this was not just an attack on him, but in my judgment, an attack on our parliamentary democracy.
“The risks of face-to-face engagement with the public are just too clear, bearing in mind the murders of two other members of parliament in recent years.”
He added: “A clear message must go out, public debate must not be shut down by criminality such as this.”
In a witness statement read out in court in October, 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”.
He added: “I’m saddened that this has happened at a public campaign.”
The politician had been addressing supporters at a rally during the general election campaign and was left with the yellow liquid splattered across his dark blue suit.
Thomas Bowen – who has more than 44,000 followers on Twitter/X, and lists “content creator” as her profession on her account – was arrested shortly after the incident.
She told police in interview that she saw a post online advertising Mr Farage’s attendance that day, prosecutor Nishma Shah said.
She told officers she “does not agree with his political views” and when she saw him exiting the pub she decided to do it as she “had the opportunity” but did not intend for the cup to hit Mr Farage.
Ms Shah said that the defendant said “she did not regret her actions”.
Zarif Khan, defending, said Thomas Bowen has “conceded that it was wrong what she’s done on the day” and there is “some evidence in my submission of mental health issues”.
He said she has been harassed, including online trolling, threats and being shouted at in the street.
Mr Khan said: “This was a naive stupid reaction by this young woman, at a time when she was going through some personal distress.”
At the last hearing, her barrister made a successful application to the court to allow his client not to read her address out in open court, explaining one individual had made “very severe threats” concerning the case and it was granted again on Monday for the same reasons as before.
Thomas Bowen had originally denied the charges and was due to go on trial at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in October but changed her pleas to guilty before proceedings began.
In a statement following her sentencing, Caroline Liggins, criminal defence lawyer at Hodge Jones & Allen, said: “Our client entered a guilty plea because she understands the gravity of the situation in which her impulsive decision has placed her.
“We are relieved the court has taken a sensible approach in dealing with this young woman by handing down a suspended sentence.
“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.”
Rebecca Mundy, of the CPS, said: “Threatening behaviour and attacks on electoral candidates and officials will never be tolerated.
“Ensuring those who serve the public feel safe in their role and able to represent constituents without fear of harm or abuse is of paramount importance to the Crown Prosecution Service and vital for the functioning of a healthy democracy.”