Victoria Thomas-Bowen threw the banana milkshake over now Reform UK MP Nigel Farage outside the Moon and Starfish Wetherspoons pub in Clacton-on-Sea in Essex in June
A model who hurled a banana milkshake over Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was yesterday given a suspended jail sentence.
Victoria Thomas-Bowen, 25, threw the McDonald’s drink at Mr Farage in a “humiliating” attack as he campaigned in the run-up to the July election. Westminster magistrates suspended a 13-week jail term for 12 months.
The model admitted assault by beating. Responding to the sentencing, Mr Farage fumed: “We now live in a country where you can assault a Member of Parliament and not go to prison. The latest example of two-tier justice.” Mr Farage, now MP for Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, had been hit by the drink cup as he left the Moon and Starfish Wetherspoon pub in the town on June 4.
Thomas-Bowen also admitted criminal damage after causing £17.50 damage to a security officer’s jacket. Following the sentencing, her lawyer Caroline Liggins said: “Our client pleaded guilty because she understands the gravity of the situation in which her impulsive decision placed her.
“She has suffered multiple threats since this happened, which have had a serious impact on her mental health.” In a victim impact statement read out by the prosecution Mr Farage said the attack had left him feeling “humiliated”.
He added that he was “deeply thoughtful for some time afterwards that next time it may not be a milkshake”. He said the incident is part of “a growing security concern”.
Judge Tan Ikram told Thomas-Bowen to complete 12 rehabilitation activity days and do 120 hours of unpaid work. She must also pay Mr Farage £150 compensation, a £154 victim surcharge and £450 costs.
