Public figures often become lightning rods for protest, and Nigel Farage is no exception.
As one of Britain’s most polarizing political figures, Farage has long been a target of both criticism and controversy.
But on June 4, 2023, a protest against the former UKIP leader took a dramatic turn when a milkshake was hurled at him during a campaign event in Essex.
The act, which went viral online, has now led to a court ruling, according to Digi24.
A Public and Personal Attack
Victoria Thomas Bowen, a 25-year-old OnlyFans model from Clacton, was sentenced at Westminster Magistrates' Court to a 13-week jail term, suspended for 12 months.
She was also ordered to complete 120 hours of community service, 15 days of rehabilitation, and pay £150 in compensation to Farage.
The court also imposed additional fines, including £17.50 for damage to the jacket of Farage’s security guard, James Woolfenden, a £154 victim surcharge, and £450 in court costs.
During the sentencing, District Judge Tan Ikram characterized Bowen's actions as an affront to democratic values.
“This was not just an attack on him but, in my opinion, an attack on our parliamentary democracy. Public debate should not be curtailed by such actions,” he said.
Farage described the incident as both humiliating and troubling.
“The attack was broadcast nationally and internationally, viewed by many. I worried that next time, it might not just be a milkshake,” he stated.
What Happened That Day
Bowen learned of Farage’s campaign stop via social media. She purchased a milkshake and, upon spotting him leaving a pub, decided to throw it at him.
Witnesses reported her shouting insults during the act. In her police interview, Bowen admitted she acted out of opposition to Farage’s political views, expressing no regret.
Initially pleading not guilty, she later changed her plea to guilty in October.
While Bowen described her actions as spontaneous, the court emphasized the broader implications of such acts.
