Murdoch pie-thrower jailed for six weeks
The protester who threw a foam pie at Rupert Murdoch has been jailed for six weeks. Jonathan May-Bowles went for the News Corp boss when he was giving evidence to MPs about the phone-hacking scandal.
The 26-year-old pleaded guilty to assaulting Rupert Murdoch as he gave evidence to the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee.
Mr May-Bowles, also known by his comedy stage name “Jonnie Marbles”, disrupted proceedings by launching a paper plate of shaving foam at Mr Murdoch.
The hearing was delayed for about 20 minutes while the media-tycoon cleaned himself up and May-Bowles was arrested.
Passing sentence at City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court in central London, district judge Daphne Wickham said May-Bowles would serve three weeks in prison.
She also ordered him to pay a £15 victim surcharge and £250 costs.
The judge condemned his actions in interrupting the evidence Mr Murdoch was giving to the committee, which she said was “of huge importance” to many people.
“This is a parliamentary process, which as you know conducts itself with dignity and in a civilised fashion,” she said.
“Everybody else in the room expected that, with one exception – you.
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“You attended those proceedings with only one intention, to disrupt them.”
The judge said she took into account the fear of injury felt by Mr Murdoch, who could not have known what was in the foam pie.
Wearing a checked lumberjack shirt and black jeans, May-Bowles stood in the dock without reacting as sentence was passed.
