An OnlyFans model who threw a milkshake at Nigel Farage during the general election campaign has pleaded not guilty to assault.
Victoria Thomas Bowen, 25, confronted the Reform UK leader as he left the Moon and Starfish Wetherspoons pub in Clacton-on-Sea on June 4.
She was pictured throwing a McDonald’s banana milkshake into Mr Farage’s face, and was then arrested and charged with assault and criminal damage.
At Westminster magistrates court on Tuesday, she pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram set the case down for a trial on October 21, with Mr Farage set to be among the witnesses.
The incident happened just after Mr Farage had announced his intention to stand for election to Parliament in Clacton.
He went on to receive more than 21,000 votes and was elected as the area’s MP, one of five Reform UK members to successfully win a seat in Parliament.
Prosecutor David Burns said the case against Thomas Bowen, who lives in St Osyth Road in Clacton-on-Sea, is that the milkshake was “deliberately thrown” over Mr Farage.
Her lawyer, Andrew Price, said she will challenge the “proportionality” of the decision to bring a criminal prosecution, and she challenges some of thealleged details of the incident.
He said her defence questions “whether prosecution is a proportionate response to the protest carried out by Ms Thomas Bowen”.
He confirmed to the court that she does not deny throwing the milkshake, but disputes that the cup itself was thrown.
She also admits aiming the drink at Mr Farage, but contests claims of swearing during the confrontation, the court heard.
“There is an issue with respect to what he (Farage) says happened”, added Mr Price.
Thomas Bowen is accused of causing £30 of damage to the jacket of a second man, James Wolfenden, during the same incident.
Afterwards, Thomas Bowen told The Sun newspaper she “made my point” and admitted she disagrees with Mr Farage over immigration and “his approach to women”.
“I hadn't had any breakfast, and I was feeling quite lightheaded so I stopped at McDonalds on the way to the pier and got a banana milkshake”, she added. Mr Farage, who has been the target of “milkshaking” incidents in the past, appeared to make light of the incident in a social media video.
In a clip shared online, he raised a McDonald’s milkshake in his hand and said “my milkshake brings all the people to the rally”.
Thomas Bowen was freed on unconditional bail until her trial.
Her request to delay the case until December or January for the convenience of her lawyers was denied.
