Nigel Farage: Victoria Bowen sentenced for hurling milkshake

Getty Images A woman in a grey hoody is holding a paper cup in her outstretched hand. There is yellow milkshake coming out of it, flying through the air in the direction of Nigel Farage. He is wearing a dark suit with pink shirt and tie. — Nigel Farage was leaving the Moon and Starfish pub, in Clacton-on-Sea, when he was attacked

A woman who threw a McDonald’s milkshake over Reform UK leader Nigel Farage during the general election campaign must pay him compensation and carry out unpaid community work.

Farage had the drink hurled in his face as he left a JD Wetherspoon pub in Clacton-on-Sea on 4 June, having just launched his candidacy for the Essex constituency.

Victoria Thomas Bowen, 25, from Clacton, admitted assault by beating and criminal damage at a previous hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

She has been given a 13-week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, must pay the MP £150 compensation, complete 120 hours of unpaid work and pay £450 in court costs.

Farage was leaving the Moon and Starfish pub on Clacton seafront when he was attacked.

Watch: Nigel Farage has drink thrown over him in Clacton

In a statement read to the court, Farage said he “felt humiliated” by the incident and was left fearing for his safety in public.

He added he was “deeply thoughtful for some time afterwards that next time it may not be a milkshake”.

Farage’s security officer, James Woolfenden, also had his suit damaged by the milkshake, and Thomas Bowen was also ordered to pay him £17.50 compensation for the criminal damage.

She had originally denied the charges and was due to go on trial at the same court in October, but changed her pleas to guilty before proceedings began.

In her interview with police, the defendant said she targeted Farage because she did not agree with his political views.

Farage was standing in the constituency for the first time and won the seat, securing a large swing from the Conservatives’ Giles Watling, who had a 25,000 majority in 2019.

Farage secured a majority of 8,405 on 4 July in what was his eighth attempt to get elected to the House of Commons.

Victoria Thomas Bowen has “suffered multiple threats” since the incident, her lawyer said

PA Media Victoria Thomas Bowen arriving at court. She has long blonde hair and is wearing black sunglasses, a silver necklace and a grey dress. — Victoria Thomas Bowen has “suffered multiple threats” since the incident, her lawyer said

Thomas Bowen’s lawyer said she had received “multiple threats” since throwing the milkshake at Farage.

In a statement following the sentencing, Caroline Liggins said: “She understands the gravity of the situation in which her impulsive decision has placed her.

“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.”