Man in 20s convicted of putting Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty in a headlock

A man in his 20s has been convicted and sentenced after he put the Government’s Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty in a headlock.

The man assaulted Professor Whitty as he walked through St James’s Park in Westminster last month.

Lewis Hughes, 24, from Romford, admitted one count of assault by beating when he appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

He was sentenced to eight weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered to pay £100 in compensation.

The assault related to Hughes forcibly placing his arm around Professor Chris Whitty and putting him into a headlock as he tried to make his way through the park at around 7.20pm on Sunday, June 27.

Professor Whitty, who was on his way to a meeting with the Prime Minister, did not receive any injuries.

A second defendant, Jonathan Chew, 24, of no fixed address, is due to face trial on November 23 at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in relation to the same incident.

He is charged with one count of assault by beating and one count of obstructing police.

Kalsoom Shah, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “This was a completely unacceptable act of targeting and assaulting Professor Chris Whitty.

“Lewis Hughes showed little regard for him or relevant social distancing rules when he accosted the Government’s Chief Medical Officer in the street.

“His behaviour was both shocking and disgraceful.

“Like everyone else, public figures should be free to go about their day-to-day work without fear of being targeted and assaulted.

“The CPS will always work with the police to bring to justice those who break the law in this way.”