Eight weeks in jail for yob who harassed Chris Whitty
A YOB who accosted Sir Chris Whitty in a park has been jailed for eight weeks.
Jonathan Chew, 24, approached England’s chief medical officer as he walked through St James’s Park inWestminster on June 27 last year.
Footage of the incident, lasting around 20 seconds and showing Chew alongside former estate agent Lewis Hughes, was widely shared on social media.
Appearing at Westminster magistrates court yesterday, Chew, of Chelmsford, Essex, admitted a charge of intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress to the professor.
Jeering
He also admitted obstructing PC Steven Ozden.
Chew was ordered to pay £1,058 in costs and compensation.
Prosecutor Iestyn Morgan said Chew started filming Sir Chris on his phone while Hughes grabbed him in a headlock.
In the footage the pair can be seen jeering as Sir Chris attempted to break free.
Chew gave the name and old address of his brother Aaron to an attending police officer.
The court also heard that Chew had at least 26 previous convictions, including public order offences.
Rabah Kherbane, defending, told the court that Chew had learning difficulties, “intellectual difficulties” and
“delayed maturity” and often becomes “frustrated” when trying to communicate with others. Hughes, 24, of Romford, Essex, last year pleaded guilty to a charge of assault by beating and in July was handed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for two years.