LAST UPDATE | 18 Jun 2019
A MAN WHO threw a milkshake over leader of the Brexit Party and British MEP Nigel Farage during a political campaign tour has been ordered to pay compensation.
Paul Crowther (32) threw the milkshake over Farage as he campaigned in Newcastle city centre on 20 May.
The milkshake landed on Farage’s face and suit and caused damage to a remote microphone he was wearing at the time.
Crowther pleaded guilty to charges of assault by beating and criminal damage to property at his first hearing this morning at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.
He has been ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £350 compensation to Farage for a lapel microphone worth £239, suit cleaning, distress and inconvenience.
“In an open democracy, people should be free to conduct legitimate political campaigns without fear of physical assault,” Christ Atkinson from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.
“While members of the public have the democratic right to engage in peaceful protest, it is wholly appropriate to bring charges in any case where such protests cross the line into criminal behaviour,” he said.
“In this case, the significant volume of video material has enabled the CPS to build a very robust case against Paul Crowther and we would hope that this acts as a deterrent to others considering any criminal form of political protest.”
With reporting from Adam Daly
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