OnlyFans model avoids prison after throwing McDonald's milkshake at Nigel Farage at election rally

An OnlyFans model who threw a McDonald's milkshake over Nigel Farage during the general election campaign has avoided jail.

Victoria Thomas Bowen hurled a cup containing the liquid at the Reform UK leader outside a pub in his now-constituency of Clacton in Essex in June.

The 25-year-old, who has since had rape threats, pleaded guilty to assault by beating at an earlier hearing and appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court for sentencing.

Sentencing her to 13 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, Deputy Senior District Judge Tan Ikram said it had been an "attack on our parliamentary democracy".

He described threats to MPs' safety as a "dangerous trend" and one that "we must all do our part to counter".

But Mr Farage criticised the sentence, calling it "the latest example of two-tier justice".

In a post on social media site X, he said: "We now live in a country where you can assault a member of parliament and not go to prison."

• Victoria Thomas Bowen doused Nigel Farage with the milkshake on the day he launched his campaign

Mr Farage, who was elected as an Essex MP in July, was leaving the Moon and Starfish Wetherspoon pub on 4 June when he was covered in milkshake and hit by the cup.

The politician had been addressing supporters at a rally during the general election campaign and was left with the yellow liquid splattered across his dark blue suit.

In a witness statement read out in court, he said he had felt "humiliated" after the attack, which was part of a "growing concern" around his security.

"I was deeply thoughtful that next time it may be something else," he added.

"Incidents like this put people off standing for public office and are bad for democracy."

Thomas Bowen, who arrived at court wearing sunglasses and a grey dress, also pleaded guilty to causing £17.50 of damage to a jacket belonging to Mr Farage’s security officer, James Woolfenden.

She was arrested shortly after the incident and told police in interview that she saw a post online advertising Mr Farage’s attendance that day, the court heard.

Thomas Bowen told officers she did "not agree with his political views" and had gone into McDonald's and bought a milkshake with the idea of throwing it at him - although was not sure if she would go through with it.

She stated at the time she did not regret her actions, however, speaking at her sentencing, defence barrister Zarif Khan said she had "conceded it is wrong what she did on that day".

He told the court Thomas Bowen, who turns 26 next week, had been shouted at in the street, faced rape threats and was seen by a mental health nurse after going missing in August.

Thomas Bowen was sentenced to 13 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, for the assault alongside 15 days of rehabilitation activity and 120 hours of unpaid work.

She must pay Mr Farage £150 in compensation as well as £17.50 to cover dry cleaning for the criminal damage charge, a £150 victim surcharge and court charges of £400.

Mr Ikram said the offence called for a deterrent sentence that sent a "clear message" to the public.

The judge questioned Thomas Bowen's claims of remorse, telling her: "It is very easy to show remorse to a probation office when it comes to a sentence. The facts suggest the contrary."

However he accepted that there had been no lasting harm or injury to Mr Farage or Mr Woolfenden.

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