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Man who threw milkshake at Farage with 'crass stupidity' is fined for assault

Man admits assault after Farage hit by milkshake
Man admits assault after Farage hit by milkshake

A protester who threw a milkshake at Nigel Farage in an act of ‘crass stupidity’ was fined today for the ‘politically motivated’ attack.

Paul Crowther, 32, launched the £5.25 Five Guys banana and salted caramel milkshake over the ex-Ukip leader while he was campaigning for the Brexit Party in Newcastle upon Tyne on May 20.

Married Mr Crowther, who has since lost his job at Sky following the incident, said at the time he didn’t regret his actions and that 'the bile and racism' spouted by Mr Farage was far worse than having milkshake poured on him.

He admitted assault and criminal damage to a £239 lapel microphone on Mr Farage’s suit at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage gestures after being hit with a milkshake while arriving for a Brexit Party campaign event in Newcastle, Britain, May 20, 2019. REUTERS/Scott Heppell
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage gestures after being hit with a milkshake while arriving for a Brexit Party campaign event in Newcastle, Britain, May 20, 2019. REUTERS/Scott Heppell
Brexit Party leader Nigel gestures after being hit with a milkshake while arriving for a Brexit Party campaign event in Newcastle, Britain, May 20, 2019. REUTERS/Scott Heppell
Brexit Party leader Nigel gestures after being hit with a milkshake while arriving for a Brexit Party campaign event in Newcastle, Britain, May 20, 2019. REUTERS/Scott Heppell
Paul Crowther, (centre) who threw milkshake over Nigel Farage, is ushered away as he leaves North Tyneside Magistrates' Court in North Shields where he has been ordered to pay the Brexit Party leader compensation following the "politically motivated" attack.
Paul Crowther is ushered away as he leaves North Tyneside Magistrates' Court.

District Judge Bernard Begley ordered him to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

And after the prosecution suggested Crowther should pay compensation to have the suit cleaned, the judge ordered him to pay Mr Farage £350 compensation.

James Long, prosecuting, said: 'I suppose for the split second the attack took place, Mr Farage would not know whether it was a harmless liquid or something, in this day and age, far more sinister.'

The incident provoked a national debate about treatment of politicians in public, which included celebs like Ricky Gervais having their say.

Mr Long said it was clear from a Facebook posting before the incident that Crowther intended to throw milkshake on the politician.

Mr Crowther is arrested in Newcastle on May 20th after the milkshake incident. (PA)
Mr Crowther is arrested in Newcastle on May 20th after the milkshake incident. (PA)

A friend replied saying: 'I hope you return to the office sans milkshake.'

He later told police when he was interviewed that it was a 'moment of madness', 'a loss of control' and he watched himself do it.

Mr Farage gave a statement to the police, saying: 'Without warning this male has thrown a liquid substance directly at me.'

He said it splashed all over him and in his face, leaving him embarrassed as it happened in full view of the public and media and put an end to his campaigning in Newcastle.

In a victim statement, the politician added: 'I am concerned because of the behaviour of individuals like this, the normal democratic process cannot continue in a lawful and peaceful manner.'

Brian Hegarty, defending, said there was a long history of protesters throwing food at politicians going back hundreds if not thousands of years, although the items may have changed from fish, to fruit, to eggs and on to milkshakes.

He said Crowther now regretted his lunchtime actions, saying: 'The defendant has had cause to reflect and, having done so, he would say he wished he would not have acted as he did.'

Crowther, who has an interest in politics, believed in democracy and did not want to be seen to be trying to silence people with whom he disagreed, the court was told.

Mr Hegarty said Mr Farage had identified his client as a 'radical Remainer' but he would dispute that claim and he believes the 2016 referendum result should be respected, although Crowther thought we should leave under different terms from those suggested by the Brexit Party leader.

Since the incident he has suffered from repeated threats of violence and has had regular police checks to his address in Throckley, Newcastle, the judge was told.

Paul Crowther arrives at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court in North Shields where he faces charges of common assault and criminal damage after throwing a milkshake at Nigel Farage during a city centre walkabout.
Paul Crowther arrives at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

He has been dismissed from his job and threats have been made to a dog charity where he volunteered, the court heard.

Mr Hegarty said the attack was not premeditated for long and pointed out the £5.25 price of the milkshake and that there were cheaper options nearby that he could have gone to if it was a planned incident.

A GoFundMe page entitled Get Paul Crowther his Milkshake Money Back was closed after it reached £1,705.

Mr Hegarty said: 'Ordinarily a man of his position would receive a caution.

'The fact is, it is said to be a politically motivated incident which has caused him to appear before this court and caused him to lose his good name.'

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