Essex man admits assaulting England's chief medical officer
Professor Chris Whitty was assaulted in a London park last month
Last updated 30th Jul 2021
A 24-year-old man from Essex has admitted assaulting England's chief medical officer.
Professor Chris Whitty was accosted in St James's Park in London at around 7.20pm on 27 June.
Lewis Hughes, from Romford, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault by beating, and has been sentenced to eight weeks in prison suspended for two years and ordered to pay £100.
Meanwhile a second man, 24 year-old Jonathan Chew, from Chelmsford in Essex, pleaded not guilty to the same charge.
Chew also denied wilfully obstructing police constable Steven Ozden on the same day.
He was granted bail and was asked to appear at the same court in November for a trial.
The Metropolitan Police force launched an investigation after last month's incident, and officers carried out a welfare check on the chief medical officer.
He did not suffer any injuries.
Footage of the incident, lasting around 20 seconds, was widely shared on social media.