A man who threw a milkshake over Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage has pleaded guilty to common assault and criminal damage.

Paul Crowther, 32, 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 admitted the charges.

Following the incident, he 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.

“The bile and the racism he spouts out in this country is far more damaging than a bit of milkshake to his front,” added Crowther, who is a customer service adviser for Sky, according to his Facebook page.

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

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 that he “could have spotted that a mile off”.

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 candidate Tommy Robinson.

District Judge Bernard Begley said Crowther will not be jailed, however he must carry out unpaid work.

Sentencing was adjourned for the defendant to be interviewed by the Probation Service.

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