Barnsley protester who targeted Nigel Farage sentenced

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Barnsley protester who targeted Nigel Farage sentenced

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Josh Greally threw items, believed to be coffee cups, towards a bus that Nigel Farage was travelling on

A man who threw items towards Nigel Farage has been handed a suspended prison sentence.

Josh Greally, from Chesterfield, was filmed throwing objects while Reform *** leader Mr Farage was travelling on an open-top bus in Barnsley on 11 June.

Greally, 28, had gone to the town as part of a protest against Mr Farage, who was campaigning in the general election, the court heard.

At Barnsley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, Greally was given a six-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months.

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The incident was caught on camera during Nigel Farage’s campaign visit to Barnsley

Video from the incident showed Mr Farage shielding his face while items, believed to be coffee cups, hit the side of the double-decker.

The court previously heard the objects “made a bang on the side of the bus” after Greally threw them from a building site next to the vehicle.

Officers arrested Greally quickly, with no complaint being made to police, District Judge James Gould was told.

CCTV played to the court showed Greally, who was wearing a red hoody, picking the items from a construction area and throwing them.

It was a “planned offence”, the judge said.

Greally, of Dansbrook Drive,

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of using threatening, abusive, insulting words and behaviour with intent to cause *****.

The university graduate was a man of “previous good character” and had been remorseful, his defence barrister said.

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Greally left a previous court hearing wearing a cap and face mask

Sentencing him, Judge Gould said the ******* happened while Mr Farage was campaigning ahead of the general election, which aggravated the offence.

Speaking to probation staff, Greally said it was a “planned offence” with him travelling from his Chesterfield home to Barnsley to join a group of protesters.

While politicians may be challenged in discussion, “that must never spill over into ********* or intimidation,” the judge said.

“That is not the pursuit of free speech, it is the attempt to silence the voice of opposition,” he added.

Greally was also ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work, 20 rehabilitation activity days, pay £85 costs and a surcharge of £154.

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