Man to be sentenced for Murdoch pie prank
The protester who threw a foam pie at Rupert Murdoch will be sentenced today.
Jonathan May-Bowles, 26, pleaded guilty last week to assaulting the 80-year-old media tycoon as he gave evidence to the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee about the phone-hacking scandal.
May-Bowles, also known by his comedy stage name “Jonnie Marbles”, disrupted proceedings by launching a paper plate of shaving foam at Mr Murdoch, leaving the billionaire soaking.
Mr Murdoch’s wife, Wendi Deng, leapt to his defence, first pushing the protester away and then throwing the plate at him as he was led off by police.
The prank came towards the end of the media mogul’s appearance alongside his son James before MPs in the Wilson room in Portcullis House on July 19.
May-Bowles, of Edinburgh Gardens, Windsor, Berkshire, admitted assault and causing harassment, alarm or distress when he appeared at City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court in central London on Friday.
Leaving court the part-time stand-up comic quoted the same words that Mr Murdoch used in his evidence to MPs, telling reporters: “I would just like to say this has been the most humble day of my life.”
The case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports. May-Bowles will learn his fate this afternoon.
