Paul Crowther, 32, pictured, has admitted common assault after throwing a milkshake at Nigel Farage last month

The Remainer protester who threw a milkshake over Nigel Farage has been sacked from his job as Sky, it was revealed today, as he was spared jail over the assault.

Paul Crowther, 32, dowsed the Brexit Party leader with the £5.25 salted caramel and banana drink at a campaign event for the European elections in Newcastle last month.

And North Tyneside Magistrates' Court head the married stepfather was subsequently fired from his role as a technical adviser at Sky.

He was ordered to hand over £350 in compensation to the politician and carry out 150 hours of unpaid work as the judge told him he had 'indulged in a moment of crass stupidity' and accused Crowther of having 'a warped desire to gain attention and notoriety'.

But the court also heard he repeatedly been threatened with violence and has had regular police checks to his home, while a dog charity he volunteers at has also been threatened.

Crowther, who has a 14-year-old stepson, also admitted criminal damage to a £239 lapel microphone Mr Farage was wearing at the time and also unsuccessfully tried to have his address in Throckley, Newcastle, withheld from the public.

A spokesman for Mr Farage said he had no comment following the result of the case.

Crowther threw a Five Guys milkshake over Mr Farage in Newcastle last month. The Brexit Party leader is pictured in the aftermath with an associate

Crowther, pictured on CCTV throwing the milkshake over Mr Farage, was told by the judge he 'indulged in a moment of crass stupidity'

Judge Begley told Crowther: 'Whatever your allegiances and opinions this was an act of crass stupidity, motivated it seems by your political views and it occurs to me from a warped desire to gain attention and notoriety.

'Moreover the CCTV footage we have seen suggests you found it amusing.'

He said the attack happened in a busy city centre at lunchtime in view of the public and media and had caused Mr Farage 'embarrassment and inconvenience.'

Judge Begley added: 'You have lost your job and threats have been made to you. Perhaps you should have thought about that possibility before you acted as you did, if not for yourself then for your family.'

Mr Farage accused the offender of attacking democracy through the stunt, and, in a statement to the court, said: 'I am concerned that because of the behaviour of individuals like this the normal democratic process cannot continue in a lawful, peaceful manner.'

But Crowther's lawyer Brian Hegarty told the court he was 'following a tradition [of protest] that has spanned hundreds if not thousands of years'.

He said: 'Throwing food and drinks at politicians has a long and rich history in this country as a means of protest.

'It is unclear how old this practice is but it is certainly hundreds if not thousands of years old.

'The types of food may have changed over the years from fish fruit and eggs and now milkshakes, but efforts to embarrass and belittle politicians in this way has been going on for a long, long time.

'Many in the past, but not all, have taken it in good humours.'

But the solicitor had to be warned several times by the judge as he continued to make political points through his address to the court.

The judge said: 'How is this helping me Mr Hegarty? It is irrelevant to this case.'

Mr Hegarty spoke of his client's keen interest in politics and said he supported the democratic process and had no wish to silence politicians.

He then went on: 'After this incident Mr Crowther spoke of the 'racist bile' spoken by Mr Farage, who posed in front of a poster which was entitled 'breaking point' in Slovenia showing lines of refugees...'

The court heard Mr Farage, pictured on CCTV in the aftermath, was left 'embarrassed' by the attack

Farage, pictured after the attack, was heard telling security staff he 'could have spotted that a mile off'

District Judge Begley interrupted him again, saying: 'Again, this is not helping me in terms of the way I am disposing of this case.'

He went on to mention the case of a UKIP candidate who joked about raping a female MP, saying: 'There are former UKIP members who have believed in far worse - the rape of female MPs.'

Judge Begley said: 'I am not bothered about anyone else Mr Hegarty, I'd rather you addressed me on the guidelines in this case.'

The court also heard a statement from Mr Farage describing the incident as having a 'liquid substance' thrown directly over him.

He said: 'He [Crowther] had no right to assault me in this manner.

'It caused me some embarrassment by being covered in liquid in front of members of the public and the press and the incident was posted on social media.'

James Long, prosecuting, added: '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.'

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

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

Mr Hegarty said Crowther now regretted his actions, adding: '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, pictured outside court today, said in the aftermath of the incident it was a 'right of protest against people like him [Farage]'

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.

Mr Hegarty added: '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.'

After Crowther applied to have his address withheld from the record, Judge Begley told the offender: 'Actions have consequences. Public proceedings must be held in public unless there is good reason to withhold a person's details.'

Why have protesters turned to milkshake? The craze for drenching politicians in milkshake has only developed during the European election campaign. It seems to have started when ex-English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson was targeted with a drink. But the tactic has caught on quickly - partly because it is easier to carry a milkshake without arousing suspicion than the more traditional raw egg. Police have tried to curb the protests by asking outlets such as McDonald's to avoid selling milkshake and ice cream when politicians are nearby. But they have had limited success in countering the attacks - with Ukip candidate, Carl Benjamin, and Nigel Farage falling victim. Advertisement

Footage of the 'milkshaking' showed Crowther, who had close-cropped hair, glasses and was wearing a Street Fighter 2 T-shirt, loitering in the background before whipping off the lid of his milkshake and hurling it at the Brexit Party leader's midriff.

In the immediate aftermath, Mr Farage was heard telling a member of security staff that he 'could have spotted that a mile off'.

Later that day, the Brexit Party leader said: 'I won't even acknowledge the low-grade behaviour that I was subjected to this morning, I won't dignify it, I will ignore it.

'Perhaps keep buying new clothes and carry on.'

He also tweeted afterwards blaming the incident on Remainers becoming 'radicalised'.

The attack was condemned by other politicians including Brexit minister James Cleverly immediately condemned the episode, insisting that people should debate rather than 'assault political opponents'.

Tony Blair branded the attack 'horrible and ridiculous', while Jo Cox's widower Brendan Cox said it normalised 'violence and intimidation'.

Downing Street said politicians had to be able to 'campaign without harassment, intimidation and abuse'.

Mr Farage joins the list of candidates who have fallen victim to a 'milkshaking', including Ukip's Carl Benjamin and ex-English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson.

Mr Crowther's social media profiles revealed he has previously criticised Mr Farage and posted a link to a previous milkshake incident involving Mr Benjamin.