By The Guardian (World News) | Created at 2024-10-21 10:45:13 | Updated at 2024-10-21 12:41:30
2 hours ago
A woman has pleaded guilty to assault by beating after throwing a milkshake over the Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, outside a pub in Clacton-on-Sea during the general election campaign.
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’s MP, was doused as he left the Moon and Starfish Wetherspoon’s pub in the Essex seaside town on 4 June.
He had earlier addressed supporters at an election rally and was left with the yellow liquid splattered across his dark blue suit.
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.
Tan Ikram, the deputy senior district judge, adjourned sentencing to 16 December 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.”
