Victoria Thomas Bowen arrives at court for sentencing
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has slammed the suspended sentence given to a woman who threw a milkshake over him during the general election campaign as "two-tier justice".
Victoria Thomas Bowen, 25, previously admitted assault by beating after Mr Farage, who is now MP for Clacton, was doused with the liquid and hit by the cup after it was thrown as he left the Moon and Starfish Wetherspoon pub in Clacton-on-Sea on June 4.
She was sentenced to 13 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, by Judge Ikram today.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Mr Farage said: “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."
Thomas Bowen also admitted criminal damage after causing ￡17.50 of damage to a jacket belonging to Mr Farage’s security officer, James Woolfenden.
Mr Farage had addressed supporters at a rally earlier in the general election campaign but was left with yellow liquid splattered across his dark blue suit.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk commented on Mr Farage's post, simplifying, saying, "Wow".
The Tesla boss has previously hit out at at the UK's "two-tier" justice system.
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Nigel Farage has milkshake thrown in his face. (Image: Getty)
Thomas Bowen, who is an OnlyFans model, was sentenced to 13 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, by Judge Ikram at the same court on Monday.
The judge said she will have to complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days, 120 hours of unpaid work and to pay Mr Farage ￡150 compensation, ￡17.50 compensation for the criminal damage, ￡154 victim surcharge and ￡450 in costs.
The judge said the incident was “humiliating and it was in the full glare of cameras and a video of the incident was widely distributed”.
He added it was an “unprovoked targeted attack”, adding: “It is also clear to me, irrespective of what you now say, that at the time you had no regret at all in attacking the now elected Member of Parliament for Clacton.”
Judge Ikram said: “In recent months, I have dealt with several cases of unlawful attacks on politicians, whether online or physical. This is a dangerous trend.”
He added: “This was an attack on a parliamentary candidate campaigning for election, but this was not just an attack on him, but in my judgment, an attack on our parliamentary democracy.
“The risks of face-to-face engagement with the public are just too clear, bearing in mind the murders of two other Members of Parliament in recent years.”
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. https://t.co/cPNB8SIOOs
— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) December 16, 2024
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Before he sentenced Thomas Bowen, Judge Ikram said: “A clear message must go out; public debate must not be shut down by criminality such as this.”
Caroline Liggins, a lawyer who represents Thomas Bowen, said after the sentencing: “Our client entered a guilty plea because she understands the gravity of the situation in which her impulsive decision has placed her.
“We are relieved the court has taken a sensible approach in dealing with this young woman by handing down a suspended sentence.
“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.”