Man admits harassing Professor Sir Chris Whitty in London park
Last updated 27th Jan 2022
A man has appeared in court and admitted intending to cause Professor Sir Chris Whitty distress when he approached him in a central London park.
24 year old Jonathan Chew pleaded guilty to a charge of intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress at Westminster Magistrates' Court.
It's after he approached England's chief medical officer in St James's Park in June 2021.
Footage of the incident, lasting around 20 seconds and showing Chew alongside former estate agent Lewis Hughes, was widely shared on social media.
Hughes, 24, earlier pleaded guilty to a charge of assault by beating and was sentenced last July to an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for two years and was ordered to pay a total of £307 in fines and compensation.
He was labelled "yobbish" by the judge and criticised for leaving Sir Chris "humiliated" after putting him in a headlock.
Earlier in January, Rabah Kherbane, defending, had asked for the case to be adjourned after Chew's former solicitor withdrew due to being "professionally embarrassed" following the defendant's behaviour in court.
Mr Kherbane said the defendant has several conditions including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism which would make it difficult for him to follow proceedings.
During the hearing, senior district judge Paul Goldspring repeatedly told the defendant to stop interrupting proceedings and that he would be fitted with an electronic tag due to "concerns" over him not being at home on several occasions.