James Argent breaks silence following arrest for pushing ex girlfriend down stairs after row
He admitted he's 'devastated' by what happened
Former TOWIE cast member James Argent has broken his silence after receiving a suspended jail sentence for pushing his ex girlfriend, Nicoline Artusson, down some steps during a row.
He pled guilty to “mistreating” Nicoline following his arrest on May 5th, and was given a six-month suspended prison sentence alongside a restraining order at the Costa del Sol court.
Speaking to MailOnline, James confirmed that he’s still sober and the incident was not triggered by a relapse.
He explained: “I haven’t relapsed. I am still three years and four months clean and sober. I am devastated by what’s happened.”
After he struck a plea bargain deal with public prosecutors, James Argent didn’t end up going to jail, with The Sun reporting that he pushed his girlfriend down the steps of her apartment following an argument.
A source told the publication: “James and Nicoline had a row that turned nasty and he pushed her over. He was arrested and taken to a station where he was put in the cells for a few hours.
“James complied with the police and the matter was resolved in the court on the same day. Their relationship is over and they can no longer speak or contact one another.”
Court officials warned James that if he violates his plea agreement then he could end up in prison for more than five years as a result of denying any wrongdoing, which would have resulted in a full trial.
Andalucia’s High Court of Justice said: ‘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.”
It continued: “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-socialisation 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.”
Sources explained that James Argent is “extremely sorry” for what happened, adding: “He is remorseful about what happened but is insisting he never meant any harm. He’s extremely sorry for it.
“James said he was honest when he spoke to the police and told them everything that had happened.”
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