Victoria Bowen: What to know about woman who threw milkshake over UK leader

Victoria Thomas Bowen, a 25-year-old woman from Clacton, has been sentenced after throwing a McDonald’s milkshake at Reform UK leader Nigel Farage during the 2019 general election campaign.

Bowen, who admitted to assault and criminal damage, will face legal consequences and compensation payments following the public attack on the political figure.

The Milkshake Incident
The incident occurred on June 4, 2019, as Farage left the Moon and Starfish pub in Clacton-on-Sea, shortly after announcing his candidacy for the Essex constituency. Bowen, who is an OnlyFans model, hurled the milkshake at Farage in an act of protest, which she later explained was due to her disagreement with his political views.

Legal Consequences for Bowen
Bowen appeared in Westminster Magistrates’ Court, where she admitted to assault by beating and criminal damage. As a result, she was sentenced to 13 weeks in jail, and suspended for 12 months. In addition to her suspended sentence, Bowen was ordered to pay Farage £150 in compensation, complete 120 hours of unpaid community work, and pay £450 in court costs. Bowen was also required to compensate Farage’s security officer £17.50 for the damage caused to his suit.

Farage’s Statement on the Attack
In a statement read to the court, Farage expressed how the attack left him feeling “humiliated” and fearful for his safety in public. He added that the incident left him contemplating that next time, it could involve something more dangerous than a milkshake. Farage’s emotional response highlighted the personal impact of the attack, which also involved damage to his security officer’s attire.

Bowen’s Explanation and Apology
Bowen had initially denied the charges and was scheduled for trial in October, but changed her plea to guilty before proceedings began. During her interview with the police, she admitted to targeting Farage because of her political differences with him. Bowen’s lawyer, Caroline Liggins, shared that Bowen had been subjected to numerous threats since the incident, which had taken a toll on her mental health. Bowen has since expressed regret for her actions and hopes to put the episode behind her.

The Trend of “Milkshaking”
Bowen’s attack is part of a larger trend of public figures being targeted with milkshakes, a form of protest that gained notoriety in 2019. The term “milkshaking” was even added to the Collins Dictionary that year. Farage, who went on to secure the Essex seat in July 2019, has been the target of similar incidents in the past, including one in Newcastle in 2019. These attacks have raised concerns about the safety of political figures while campaigning.

(BBC)

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