LONDON – A comedian who threw a foam pie at News Corp chief Rupert Murdoch immediately launched an appeal yesterday after he was jailed for six weeks.
Jonathan May-Bowles (26) insisted the assault was designed to voice “widespread revulsion” over the phone hacking scandal. He was imprisoned after admitting the assault on the 80-year-old media tycoon as he gave evidence to the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee.
May-Bowles, also known by his comedy stage name “Jonnie Marbles”, disrupted proceedings by throwing a paper plate of shaving foam at Mr Murdoch on July 19th.
After he was sentenced at City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court in central London, his legal team launched an appeal.
They maintain that the punishment handed down by district judge Daphne Wickham was too severe, although she said that he will only serve three weeks in jail. – (PA)