Man who threw coffee at Nigel Farage in Barnsley during General Election campaign is sentenced

Josh Greally (left) has been sentenced after admitting to throwing a cup of coffee at Nigel Farage.

A man who threw a coffee cup at Reform UK leader Nigel Farage on his battle bus during the General Election campaign has been handed a suspended prison sentence.

Josh Greally, 28, was sentenced to six weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, after a district judge said the offence was serious enough to merit a jail term, but there was a "realistic prospect of rehabilitation".

Greally, who wore a black face mask throughout the hearing, pleaded guilty to a public order offence over the incident on June 11 in Barnsley town centre, where he launched an object at Mr Farage, who was making a speech from the open top deck of his bus.

Barnsley Magistrates Court heard Greally then reached into a bin and took out another object, which he also threw towards the bus.

Josh Greally arrives Barnsley Magistrates' Court, where he was given a suspended prison sentence after throwing items at Nigel Farage during the General Election campaign. The 28-year-old was arrested in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, on June 11 after he threw what looked like a paper cup containing a liquid, and another object, at Mr Farage.

Neither of the objects hit the Mr Farage, who was elected MP for Clacton.

District Judge James Gould said Greally's target had been a politician campaigning "in our democratic country".

He told the defendant: "Politicians know they will face robust opposition, but that must never spill over into violence or intimidation.

"That is not the pursuit of free speech, it is an attempt to silence voices of opposition."

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage reacts after something is thrown towards him on the Reform UK campaign bus in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, whilst on the General Election campaign trail.

In mitigation, the court heard Greally, who has no previous convictions, had attended protests before but "this seems to be the first time he has stepped over the line".

In addition to the suspended sentence, Greally, of Damsbrook Drive, Clowne, Derbyshire , was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work, 20 rehabilitation activity days and pay £85 court costs and a surcharge of £154.