A man who threw a milkshake over Nigel Farage has been ordered to pay the Brexit Party leader £350 in compensation following the "politically motivated attack".

Paul Crowther doused the politician with the £5.25 banana and salted caramel milkshake from burger chain Five Guys during a Newcastle city centre walkabout ahead of last month's European elections.

He was arrested at the scene after being filmed throwing the sticky drink, and was charged by Northumbria Police.

On Tuesday, Crowther, from Newcastle, appeared at North Tyneside Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to common assault and criminal damage.

Image: Paul Crowther admitted to common assault and criminal damage

The married former Sky employee has been dismissed following the incident, the court was told.


District Judge Bernard Begley told Crowther he had carried out an "act of crass stupidity" and also ordered him to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

And after the prosecution suggested Crowther should pay compensation to have Mr Farage's suit cleaned, the judge ordered the 32-year-old to pay the politician £350.

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."

Mr Long said it was clear from a post on Facebook that Crowther had intended to throw the milkshake on Mr Farage. A friend replied saying: "I hope you return to the office sans milkshake."

Image: Crowther bought the milkshake on his break. Pic: Facebook/Paul Crowther

Following the incident on 21 May, Crowther told journalists: "I didn't know he was in town, I thought this is my only chance.

"It's a right of protest against people like him."

He added: "The bile and the racism he spouts out in this country is far more damaging than a bit of milkshake to his front."

The criminal damage charge was related to a microphone which was damaged during the incident on 20 May, police said.

Image: Mr Farage was heard telling his security staff he 'could have spotted that a mile off'

After his arrest, Crowther said he did not regret his actions, adding: "I was quite looking forward to it [the milkshake], but I think it went on a better purpose."

A GoFundMe page entitled "Get Paul Crowther his milkshake money back" also raised £1,705.

Mr Farage tweeted after the incident, saying: "Sadly some remainers have become radicalised, to the extent that normal campaigning is becoming impossible.

"For a civilised democracy to work you need the losers consent, politicians not accepting the referendum result have led us to this."

The former UKIP leader was also heard telling a member of security staff after the incident that he "could have spotted that a mile off".

Moment Nigel Farage hit with milkshake

Later that day, he 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."

The attack came after a McDonald's branch in Edinburgh was asked by police not to sell milkshakes, due to a Brexit Party rally close by.

Mr Farage is the latest politician to have the drink doused on him, joining figures such as UKIP's Carl Benjamin and independent European elections candidate Tommy Robinson.