Jonathan May-Bowles
Jonathan May-Bowles makes his way past cameras as he arrives at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court in London Reuters

Jonathan May-Bowles (26) gets a six-week custodial sentence after pleaded guilty last week (July 25) to assaulting the 80-year-old as Mr Murdoch gave evidence to the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee about the phone-hacking scandal.

May-Bowles, who goes by the name Jonnie Marbles, is charged with behaviour causing harassment, alarm or distress in a public place under Section 5 of the Public Order Act, Scotland Yard said.

The protestor was seen to emerge from the back of the Wilson Room in Portcullis, walk around the left side of the packed room and throw a paper plate with white foam at Murdoch's face.

The media mogul's wife, Wendi Deng, leapt to her husband's defence, first pushing the attacker away and then throwing the plate at him as he was led away by police.

The incident came towards the end of the News Corp chief's appearance alongside his son James before MPs in the Wilson room in Portcullis House on July 19th.

Justifying his crime to the Daily Mail, he said: "It doesn't match the misdeeds that he has committed as head of News International. I do still feel proud of what I did."

The incident was condemned by audience members and MPs including Commons SpeakerJohn Bercow.