A 25-year-old woman from Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, named Victoria Thomas Bowen has pleaded guilty to assault after throwing a milkshake at Nigel Farage during the general election campaign. She appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London and was charged with assault by beating and criminal damage.
Initially, she denied the charges but later changed her pleas to guilty before her trial was set to begin. Mr. Farage, who was covered in the drink as he left a pub in Clacton-on-Sea on June 4, was left with a yellow liquid splattered across his suit. The incident caused £17.50 worth of criminal damage to a jacket belonging to his security officer, James Woolfenden.
The sentencing was adjourned to December 16, and Deputy Senior District Judge Tan Ikram emphasized the seriousness of the charges. He described the attack as unprovoked and targeted at an elected Member of Parliament, stating that he takes a serious view of such offenses. A pre-sentence report will be considered to determine the appropriate sentence.
In a witness statement, Mr. Farage expressed concern over the incident, mentioning that he was only carrying out his job and engaging with the public. Thomas Bowen admitted that she does not agree with Mr. Farage’s political views and decided to act when she saw him leaving the pub after a rally.
During her police interview, Thomas Bowen admitted that the action was an assault and acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the liquid going over their jackets. However, she mentioned that Nigel Farage would be able to afford the cleaning expenses and stated that she did not regret her actions.
The woman’s defense explained that she changed her plea due to the impact the case had on her, including threats made against her. She was granted unconditional bail pending her sentencing. In a similar incident, a man who threw items at Mr. Farage during the election campaign received a suspended jail sentence, unpaid work, rehabilitation activity days, and court costs.
Nigel Farage, who is now the MP for Clacton, won the seat in the July election with a significant majority. Such incidents of assault against politicians highlight the importance of respecting differing political views and engaging in constructive dialogue rather than resorting to violence. It is essential to uphold democratic values and freedom of expression while maintaining civility and respect in public discourse.
