Former The Only Way Is Essex star James Argent received a six-month suspended prison sentence and a two-year restraining order from his girlfriend Nicoline Arturrson
James Argent’s girlfriend Nicoline Arturrson was left with horrific injuries following a heated altercation while the couple were holidaying in Spain. The former TOWIE star, 37, received a six-month suspended prison sentence and a two-year restraining order from a Spanish court.
He had pleaded guilty to shoving Artursson. According to eyewitness accounts, the confrontation escalated to the point where Argent was allegedly seen hurling clothing from a balcony and storming out of the property with a bag in hand.
A bystander told the Mirror that they had comforted Artursson, who was visibly shaken. “She was crying a lot,” the source told us. “She looked extremely distressed and nervous.
“She told me, ‘I’m in total shock…my life with Arg was so happy before this. I can’t believe what’s happened…we planned to have a family.’”
Authorities were called to the scene shortly before midnight. Argent had already left by the time police and Artursson’s mother arrived.
It has now been stated that Nicoline suffered cuts and bruises to her neck, arm, hand and leg. A report showed Nicoline bloodied and with bruises to her neck, right forearm and cuts to her right forearm, hand and leg.
Offering a detailed description of the injuries Nicoline suffered, a prosecutor said in the written document: “The injured woman suffered several bruises to her neck, a bruise to her right forearm, several abrasions to her right arm, and abrasions to her right hand and on her right leg.” Confirming she received medical assistance, the prosecutor said: “The injuries she suffered healed in seven days on skin and soft tissue.”
As part of the court’s ruling, it is thought Argent may now also complete a ten-week domestic violence rehabilitation course in Spain, which includes listening to the stories of abuse survivors.
The reality star broke his silence on Thursday following the ruling. He said in a statement: “I haven’t relapsed. I am still three years and four months clean and sober. I am devastated by what’s happened.”
Spanish police said Argent was later arrested for “an alleged crime of domestic violence”. He later appeared before the Court of Violence against Women in Fuengirola, where he was handed a suspended prison sentence for a gender violence offence.
This week, Argent made a return to social media where he was photographed alongside a friend at a black-tie charity event. In the caption, he wrote: “It was an honour to perform for The Wickers Charity raising over £100,000. So proud of @brogangarritsmith for all her hard work.”
Dressed in a black tuxedo and bow tie, Argent appeared upbeat as he posed for the camera at the elegant London venue. He also took to the stage with The Arg Band, entertaining attendees at the Wickers Charity Ball – an event dedicated to combating knife crime in the capital.
A source close to Argent and his partner Nicoline told the Sun: “James should be ashamed of himself. He is acting like nothing happened and seems to be trying to brush over this. What he did was serious.
“People who knew them as a couple were so shocked by what had happened but now to see James smiling and playing up to the cameras. It feels shameless.”
Officials in Spain have not pointed to Argent, who has spoken openly about turning his life round after a harrowing cocaine addiction, being drunk or on drugs when he hit out and he has denied he has relapsed in his only public comments so far since the ugly incident.
Well-placed sources have said the fact he was dealt with by the courts the same day of his arrest suggests he was sober when he lashed out.
Andalucia’s High Court of Justice said last Tuesday: “The matter was resolved in Fuengirola’s Court of Violence Against Women. There was a plea agreement on May 5 and a trial the same day. In trials of this kind it is the prosecutor who suggests a conviction after negotiating with the defence. It implies that the defendant acknowledges the facts and admits the penalty.
“The judgment is now final having been accepted. It consists of a sentence of six months in prison for the commission of a crime of mistreatment in the ambit of gender violence. It also implies a prohibition on approaching and communicating with the victim for a period of two years. The convicted person will not enter prison as he had no criminal record in Spain.
“For this reason, the sentence is suspended but on condition that, over a period of two years he does not approach or communicate with the victim and has to carry out a re-socialization course in the field of gender violence. The suspension would be revoked if it fails to comply with the measures imposed. The sentence will be sent to a criminal court that will be responsible for its execution and compliance with the measures implicit therein.”
For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy. For more info visit www.aafda.org.uk
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