Woman who threw McDonald’s milkshake at Nigel Farage admits assault
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A woman has confessed to dousing Nigel Farage with a milkshake while he was out campaigning in Essex for the upcoming general election this summer.
During a rally in Clacton-on-Sea on June 4, which kicked off his campaign, the leader of Reform UK was doused with a banana-flavored milkshake after speaking to his supporters.
As the Clacton MP exited the Moon and Starfish Wetherspoon pub, he was covered in a yellow liquid, which stained his dark blue suit.
Victoria Thomas Bowen, 25, has been charged with assault after being involved in the incident.
The 25-year-old faced additional charges for damaging a jacket owned by Mr. Farage’s security officer, James Woolfenden, resulting in £17.50 worth of damage.
Thomas Bowen, who lives on St Osyth Road in the coastal town, had initially pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and was scheduled to stand trial at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday. However, he switched his plea to guilty before the trial commenced.
Deputy Senior District Judge Tan Ikram addressed the defendant, stating, "You have admitted to two serious offenses, in my view."
"This was a deliberate and unjustified assault on a member of parliament who was elected by the people. I view these actions very seriously."
"I am looking for a pre-sentencing report that will evaluate all potential sentencing options."
The 25-year-old has been given bail without restrictions, and her sentencing is scheduled for the morning of December 16.
In a statement presented to the court for him, Mr. Farage stated, “The cup struck my face directly… liquid splashed all over me.”
Even though he stated he wasn't hurt, he referred to the situation as a source of "concern," since he has been "simply focused on my work" and aims to "interact with the public as much as I can."
He expressed his disappointment, saying, “It’s upsetting that this occurred during a public campaign.”
In a video shared on X after the hearing, Mr. Farage suggested that Thomas Bowen was trying to attract attention with his actions.
He mentioned, “I’m glad it was just a milkshake. We went to the Westminster magistrates' court today. It was a big spectacle, and at the very last moment, she admitted her guilt.”
"Consider how much public money and time have been squandered by dragging this case through the magistrate’s court. At any time during this process, she could have admitted her guilt, but she decided against it."
"She has an account on OnlyFans, which means she benefits financially from any attention she receives."
Thomas Bowen was taken into custody soon after the event occurred. During a police interview, she reported that she had seen an online post announcing Mr. Farage's presence that day, as revealed in court.
She informed the officers that she "does not share his political beliefs."
She mentioned that she was outside the pub when she noticed him coming out, and she felt it was the right moment to take action. However, she explained that she did not mean for the cup to hit Mr. Farage.
In her statements during the police interview, prosecutor Nishma Shah explained to the court, "She admits that this was an attack and that the liquid spilled would have ruined his jacket and those of others, requiring them to be cleaned. However, she believes that Nigel can cover these cleaning costs."
"She expressed that she had no regrets about what she did."
When asked about Thomas Bowen's decision to alter her plea on the day of the trial, Andrew Price, her defense attorney, explained to the judge, “This situation has greatly affected this defendant.”
The defendant has faced several threats, and she did her best to ignore them and steer clear of the choice she eventually ended up making.
The lawyer previously submitted a successful request to the court, allowing his client to avoid reading her statement aloud during the hearing. He explained that there have been “very serious threats” related to the case.
Thomas Bowen, an OnlyFans creator, chose not to speak as she exited Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday morning.
She boasts over 44,000 followers on Twitter/X, where she identifies as a "content creator" in her profile.
She shared a video on her Instagram story while leaving the courthouse after the hearing on Monday, capturing members of the media taking pictures of her as she walked out.
After Monday's hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Rob Huddleston of Essex Police stated, "It's essential for democracy to function properly, and we must enforce the law impartially and without bias."
Objecting to someone's political opinions does not justify resorting to violence or threats.
Public officials and candidates for office, just like everyone else, should be able to carry out their activities without worrying about their safety.
In a different event that took place in August, Josh Greally from Clowne, Derbyshire, received a six-week prison sentence, which is suspended for 12 months. He pleaded guilty to throwing a coffee cup and another object at Mr. Farage while he was campaigning on his battle bus in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, on June 11.
In 2019, while on a campaign tour in Newcastle, Mr. Farage was hit with a banana and salted caramel milkshake.
The term "milkshaking," which refers to the act of throwing a milkshake at public figures, was officially added to Collins Dictionary that same year.
