OnlyFans model, 25, who hurled milkshake in Nigel Farage’s face is spared jail

An OnlyFans model who threw a milkshake in Reform UK leader Nigel Farage’s face has been spared jail.

Victoria Thomas Bowen, 25, launched the drink at the MP outside a pub in Clacton-on-Sea during the general election campaign on June 4.

Dramatic footage showed the mother-of-one throwing the contents of a McDonald’s cup at Mr Farage, hitting him square in the face and leaving him with a thick yellow milkshake splattering all over his dark blue suit.

Wearing large black sunglasses, a smart gray dress and high heels, Thomas Bowen stuck two fingers up at photographers as she arrived at Westminster Magistrates’ Court this morning.

She was later sentenced to 13 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, after admitting assault in October.

The model had also admitted criminal damage after causing £17.50 worth of damage to a jacket belonging to Farage’s security officer, James Woolfenden.

Mr Farage, now MP for Clacton, was doused as he left the Moon and Starfish Wetherspoon pub in the seaside town of Essex.

In a victim statement read out by the prosecutor, the MP said he “felt humiliated” after the incident because it was “broadcast on national and international media.”

He added that he “thought deeply for a while afterwards that maybe next time it wouldn’t be a milkshake” and said the incident was part of “a growing safety problem.”

The model was arrested shortly after the incident and told police in an interview that she had seen a message online advertising Farage’s presence that day, the court heard.

She told officers she “didn’t agree with his political views.”

Before the attack, Farage had previously addressed supporters at a rally during the election campaign.

Thomas Bowen had initially denied the charges but changed her plea to guilty before proceedings began.

In addition to her suspended sentence, she has also been ordered to complete 12 days of rehabilitation activity requirement, 120 hours of unpaid work and pay compensation of £150 to Mr Farage, compensation for criminal damage of £17.50, a victim surcharge of £154 and £450 in compensation. costs.

The incident sparked widespread condemnation from MPs across the political spectrum, including Labor leader Yvette Cooper, who called it a ‘disgrace’ and ‘completely unacceptable and wrong’.

Thomas Bowen, who films her

“He doesn’t stand for me,” the self-described “little blonde pocket rocket” added. “He doesn’t represent anything I believe in or the people around here. He doesn’t represent us, he’s not from here.’

She later posted a photo of herself wearing only underwear and sports socks in a provocative pose, alongside a link to her Onlyfans website and the lyrics of the song Milkshake.

Mr Farage said in his victim impact statement, read to the court: ‘Immediately after the incident I felt humiliated. It was broadcast on national television and seen by many people. I thought for a while that maybe next time it wouldn’t be a milkshake.

“This incident is part of a growing concern for my safety in public.”

Zarif Khan, defending Thomas Bowen, said: “She has admitted that what she did that day was wrong. The court must balance all this and decide that it is right to send a young woman with her background to prison.

‘You also have to make an assessment and look at the overall fairness of this case.

‘The fact is that people have been struggling with undiagnosed problems for years. She suffers from ADHD and anxiety.

“The amount of harassment she’s faced. Death threats and rape. She’s being yelled at in the street.

“This was a naive, stupid response from this young woman at a time when she was going through personal problems.

‘There are other ways to deal with individuals. Other ways that are available and in my opinion are more effective.

‘It can be seen as a deterrent. Simply sending people to jail is not the only way to deter individuals.

‘She has a family that continues to support her. These online threats are ongoing. You should follow the recommendation in the report. If you are still against me, I will continue.”

District Judge Tan Ikram sentenced her to 13 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.

He said: “You have to look at the impact it has had on the victim. Many people feel guilty at the time of sentencing.

“You long for yourself as a social media content creator. You earn £2,500 a month and it appears you have significant debt.

‘The victim in this case, Mr Farage, was campaigning that day. He describes a container and a liquid substance touching his face.

‘This was humiliating and in full view of the cameras. The video has been widely distributed. At the time a witness said you shouted “you f***ing ****” or something similar.

‘In the preliminary investigation you say that you have psychological problems. No evidence has been provided at all.

“This was and is an unprovoked, targeted attack. It is clear to me that at the time you had no remorse at all for disagreeing with his political views.

‘Your lawyer has very skillfully mitigated on your behalf and you have stated to the probation officer that you are remorseful.

“The facts in this case suggest otherwise. You only changed your plea on the day of the trial when witnesses came to testify.

‘There are significant aggravating features in this case. This was an attack on a parliamentary candidate who was campaigning for the elections. In my opinion, this was an attack on our parliamentary democracy.

“The risks of face-to-face engagement are all too clear given the assassinations of two other parliamentary candidates in recent years.

‘A clear message must go out. The parliamentary debate should not be stopped by this type of crime.

‘In this case it is said that the chance of a new conviction is low. It is suggested that there is a real chance of rehabilitation if an immediate custodial sentence is not imposed.

“I have thought for a long time about whether I can suspend the sentence.”

At the time of the incident, Mr Farage told ITV: ‘I don’t know what was thrown at me but it hit me straight in the face. Quite scary.’

He went on to say that he thinks the dairy drink keeps getting thrown at him because he “goes out to meet the public and no one else does.”

The incident had echoes of 2019, when he was the victim of a similar stunt in Newcastle.

Thomas-Bowen, who studied law, maths, sociology and business at university, has been involved in politics since he was 15 and has ‘hated’ Farage since his Brexit campaign.

Speaking to The Sun, she says that when she heard he was visiting her hometown, she knew she wanted to visit him and hear what he had to say.

“I never agreed with his views on immigration or his approach to women,” she said.

‘I hadn’t had breakfast yet and I was feeling quite light-headed, so I stopped at McDonalds on the way to the pier and had a banana milkshake.’

Thomas-Bowen had to push his way through the crowd to throw the drink at Mr Farage as he walked down the stairs.

In a statement after her sentencing, Caroline Liggins, criminal defense lawyer at Hodge Jones & Allen, said: “Our client has entered a guilty plea because she understands the gravity of the situation her impulsive decision has placed her in.

‘We are relieved that the court has taken a sensible approach in dealing with this young woman by imposing a suspended sentence.

‘Since this happened she has faced multiple threats, which have had a serious impact on her mental health.

‘Victoria understands the impact of her actions and wants to put the whole episode behind her. She hopes others can do the same.”