Woman admits assault after milkshake attack on Farage

A woman has admitted throwing a milkshake over Nigel Farage while he was campaigning in Essex ahead of this summer's general election.

- TARA COBHAM

A banana-flavoured McDonald's milkshake was thrown over the Reform UK leader in Clacton-on-Sea after he addressed supporters at a rally that marked the launch of his campaign on 4 June.

The Clacton MP was doused as he left the Moon and Starfish Wetherspoon pub and was left with the yellow liquid splattered across his dark blue suit.

Victoria Thomas Bowen, 25, was charged with assault by beating following the incident. She was also charged with criminal damage after causing £17.50 of damage to a jacket belonging to Mr Farage’s security officer, James Woolfenden.

Thomas Bowen, who lives in the seaside town, had originally denied the charges and was due to go on trial at Westminster magistrates’ court yesterday but changed her pleas to guilty before proceedings began.

Deputy senior district judge Tan Ikram 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.”