Man who threw objects at Nigel Farage on open-top campaign bus pleads guilty

A man who threw items at Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has admitted a public order offence.

Josh Greally, 28, was arrested in the town centre of Barnsley, South Yorkshire, two weeks ago after he threw a coffee cup and another object at Mr Farage.

The politician was campaigning on the top deck of a battle bus in the town, waving to supporters. The objects appeared to narrowly miss him.

Greally, from Chesterfield, pleaded guilty when he appeared for a short hearing on Wednesday at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court.

District Judge Tim Spruce asked for a pre-sentence report to be prepared on Greally, and said he would sentence him on 28 August.

Shaven-headed Greally stood in the court wearing a pink shirt, black trousers and a black mask.

He did not answer questions from reporters as he left the court building shortly after admitting using threatening, abusive or insulting words and behaviour with intent to cause fear or provoke unlawful violence.

Judge Spruce told him: “This matter remains serious. To your credit you are a young man who has never been in trouble before.”

Earlier, while talking to lawyers, the judge said it was a concern that a politician was targeted.

Prosecutor Kirsty Pearson said the fact the incident happened during a general election campaign made it much more serious.

Ms Pearson and the judge agreed that at least one of the items thrown made a noise as it hit the side of the bus.

Mr Farage said on the day that police had warned him not to get off the bus.

Video footage showed Greally throwing the object from a fenced-off construction workers’ area as the Reform UK campaign bus was parked in the town centre.

Mr Farage, who had been addressing supporters from the front of the top deck, was interrupted by a loud demonstration by people who opposed his views.

When there was a thud, he ducked, along with supporters and journalists.

Later that day, Mr Farage described the incident as “pretty nasty” and what happened was condemned by politicians of all parties.

It came after Victoria Thomas Bowen, 25, was charged with assault by beating and criminal damage when a milkshake was thrown over Mr Farage as he left a pub in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.

Mr Farage was seen with the yellow drink splattered across his dark blue suit as he boarded his campaign bus.

Thomas Bowen is due to appear before Colchester Magistrates’ Court on July 2.

During a campaign walkabout in Newcastle in 2019, Mr Farage had a banana and salted caramel milkshake thrown at him.