Murdoch attacker’s jail term cut

5 August 2011 Last updated at 10:46 ET

Jonathan May-Bowles had his sentence reduced from six to four weeks

A man jailed for six weeks for throwing shaving foam at News Corporation chairman Rupert Murdoch has had his sentence reduced to four weeks.

Jonathan May-Bowles admitted attacking the media tycoon on 19 July at a Commons hearing on phone hacking.

The 26-year-old comic, who calls himself Jonnie Marbles, was sentenced at City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court in central London on Tuesday.

His sentence was reduced during an appeal at Southwark Crown Court.

Judge Anthony Pitts, said the original district judge had not given enough credit for May-Bowles’ guilty plea.

But the defendant failed in an attempt to overturn the six-week prison sentence, handed down on Tuesday.

‘No comedy’

The judge told May-Bowles: “r counsel has sought to persuade us that this was something of a slapstick event, a custard pie throwing.

“He said custard pies, or shaving foam, have been used in all sorts of comedy situations, which is correct.

“That might be funny or have an element of comedy about it in a different situation, but not in this situation.

“This was intended to cause fear and it must have done so in the moment when it happened and no one knew quite what it was.”

As he left the court he put his thumb up to around 10 supporters in the public gallery.

May-Bowles, of Edinburgh Gardens, Windsor, Berkshire, pleaded guilty to assault and causing harassment, alarm or distress at a hearing last week.

Mr Murdoch and his son James were giving evidence before MPs at the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee when May-Bowles rushed forward from the public gallery and threw a paper plate of foam, which hit Mr Murdoch’s skin and clothes.

‘Make a statement’

The 80-year-old’s wife, Wendi Deng, jumped up and appeared to slap May-Bowles on the head as several people tackled him.

District judge Daphne Wickham had condemned the comic’s 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 know conducts itself with dignity and in a civilised fashion,” she said.

Defence solicitor Tim Greaves said May-Bowles was trying to “make a statement” through a form of slapstick.

Mr Greaves had described the initial jail term as “excessive”.

However, bail was refused and he was ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge and £250 costs.

— ’re ’s , . : A ‘Malign Intellectual Subculture’ – George Monbiot Smears Chomsky, Herman, Peterson, Pilger And Media Lens.