Thug pleads guilty to harassing Chris Whitty after he filmed and jeered at the chief medical officer
Thug is jailed for eight weeks for harassing Chris Whitty after he filmed and jeered at the chief medical officer while his accomplice held professor in headlock
Jonathan Chew approached England’s chief medical officer in St James’s ParkThe 24-year-old was with former estate agent Lewis Hughes in central LondonChew, of Chelmsford, Essex, admitted a charge of intent to cause harassmentThe thug had also admitted charge of obstructing police officer Steven OzdenHughes, also 24, had last year pleaded guilty to a charge of assault by beating
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A thug who jeered at Professor Sir Chris Whitty while he was held in a headlock was jailed today – then marked his incarceration by vaping in the dock and singing ‘West Ham till I die’.
Jonathan Chew, 24, approached England’s chief medical officer as he walked through St James’s Park in Westminster 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 today, Chew, of Chelmsford, Essex, admitted a charge of intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress to Prof Sir Chris.
He also admitted obstructing Pc Steven Ozden. Chew started vaping in the dock as the judge sentenced him to eight weeks imprisonment.
He then crossed his arms in front of his chest and started singing: ‘I’m West Ham ’till I die, I’m West Ham ’till I die.’
He shouted out loudly while he was being taken down to the cells by the dock officers.
Jonathan Chew (pictured earlier this month), 24, approached England’s chief medical officer as he walked through St James’s Park in Westminster on June 27 last year
Sentencing, district judge Paul Goldspring told the defendant: ‘Your contempt for these proceedings and this court have been breathtaking throughout the process.’
Mr Goldspring condemned the defendant for targeting Sir Chris who had responded to ‘an unprecedented crisis over the last few years’ with ‘great dignity’ and ‘great professionalism’.
‘He didn’t choose be in the public eye. He is entitled to go about his work. He is entitled to go about his daily life,’ Mr Goldspring added.
‘You targeted him, in the sense that you recognised him from the TV,’ he said.
The judge said he gave Chew ‘full credit’ for pleading guilty at the first opportunity to the charge of intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
He also said he accepted Chew did not initially intend to be hostile and suffered from learning difficulties, mental health issues and autism.
However, he added: ‘You had a significant, I go as far as to say, an appalling criminal record.’
Hughes, 24, earlier pleaded guilty to a charge of assault by beating and was sentenced last July.
Appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today (pictured), Chew, of Chelmsford, Essex, admitted a charge of intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress to Prof Sir Chris
Earlier in January, Rabah Kherbane, defending, had asked for the case to be adjourned after Chew’s former solicitor withdrew due to being ‘professionally embarrassed’ following the defendant’s behaviour in court.
Mr Kherbane said the defendant has several conditions including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism which would make it difficult for him to follow proceedings.
Morgan, prosecuting, said Sir Chris was walking alone through St James’s Park when Hughes and Chew approached him.
When Hughes asked for a selfie the Government’s Chief Medical Officer replied ‘No’.
Mr Morgan said: ‘Lewis Hughes placed an arm around Professor Whitty.
‘This defendant stepped in front of Professor Whitty…he was filming the matter on a camera.
‘Professor Whitty noted the smell of alcohol on the two men.
Chew (left, and right in the video with Whitty) appeared on a court videolink earlier this month lying on his bed in a dressing gown which revealed his bare chest
The duo filmed themselves hounding Whitty when he walked through St James’ Park on June 27
Chew, 24, pictured outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June, originally denied common assault and obstructing police
‘Professor Whitty tried pushing through them to the safety of what he saw nearby as a number of police constables.
‘There was pushing and shoving that he was a part of.
‘Professor Whitty was able to get away towards the police vehicles.
‘Police stopped the two defendants and Professor Whitty went on his way.’
When Chew spoke to police he gave the details of his brother, Aaron Chew, including an address previously linked to him.
Mr Morgan said this amounted to a ‘waste of police resources’.
The court was shown CCTV footage showing Sir Chris clearly trying to get away.
The video, which was uploaded to social media, also showed Chew’s arm being placed around Sir Chris.
Lewis Hughes, 23, (left, and right in the video) was fired from Caplen Estates Agents after the clip found its way to his boss
Chew’s most recent conviction was 10 weeks in custody for possessing an unauthorised item in prison, which is likely to have been a mobile phone.
Mr Morgan said he would apply for £930 in costs since the trial has been prepared on multiple occasions.
District Judge Paul Goldspring suggested Chew may have attended a protest before encountering the scientist.
He added: ‘Professor Whitty was targeted because he was someone in the public eye if it had been anyone else there is no way he would have wanted a selfie.’
Chew earlier admitted threatening and abusive words or behaviour with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
Kalsoom Shah, from the CPS, said: ‘Jonathan Chew showed a complete disregard for his victim and social distancing rules when he accosted the Government’s Chief Medical Officer in a London park.
‘His actions were not boisterous and spirited but shocking, inconsiderate and disgraceful.
‘Like everyone else, public figures should be free to go about their day to day work without fear of being targeted. The CPS will always work with the police to bring to justice those who break the law in this way.’
