Thug pleads guilty to harassing Chris Whitty while filming him

Thug pleads guilty to 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 Park
  • The 24-year-old was with former estate agent Lewis Hughes in central London
  • Chew, of Chelmsford, Essex, admitted a charge of intent to cause harassment
  • The thug had also admitted charge of obstructing police officer Steven Ozden
  • Hughes, also 24, had last year pleaded guilty to a charge of assault by beating

A man has admitted intending to cause Professor Sir Chris Whitty distress when he approached him in a central London park.

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. Hughes, 24, earlier pleaded guilty to a charge of assault by beating and was sentenced last July.

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

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.


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

During the hearing, senior district judge Paul Goldspring repeatedly told the defendant to stop interrupting proceedings and that he would be fitted with an electronic tag due to ‘concerns’ over him not being at home on several occasions.

Hughes, of Romford in Essex, was handed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for two years and was ordered to pay a total of £307 in fines and compensation.

He was labelled ‘yobbish’ by the Mr Goldspring and was criticised for leaving Sir Chris ‘humiliated’ after putting him in a headlock.


Chew, 24, pictured outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June, originally denied common assault and obstructing police


Lewis Hughes, 23, (left, and right in the video) was fired from Caplen Estates Agents after the clip found its way to his boss

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