TOWIE star given suspended sentence after pushing girlfriend down steps
Former Towie star James Argent has received a suspended six-month prison sentence after admitting to a domestic violence offence against his ex-girlfriend Nicoline Artursson.
The 37-year-old reality TV star was arrested on May 5 in Spain following an incident at a Costa Del Sol property.
Argent pleaded guilty to “mistreating” the Swedish beauty queen at a court in Fuengirola.
The incident occurred when Argent pushed Artursson down some steps while trying to get her out of the front door of her apartment in Costa del Sol, the court was told.
Neighbours said they heard screaming as she fell down the two steps leading into her flat.
Artursson required hospital treatment for her injuries, though the full extent of these has not been disclosed.
A friend of Argent’s told The Sun he is “remorseful about what happened but is insisting he never meant any harm.”
In addition to the prison sentence, Argent was handed a two-year restraining order preventing him from contacting or approaching Artursson.
The court warned that if he breaks the restraining order, he will be sent to prison.
Judges also ordered Argent to complete a “resocialisation course in the field of gender violence” as a condition of his suspended sentence.
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The former Towie star is believed to have now returned to Essex, while Artursson has remained in Spain.
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.”
The court added: “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.”
It is not clear whether Argent has had to pay Artursson any compensation as part of the court’s ruling.
The reality star was arrested shortly after the incident last Monday before being taken to court.
The former couple confirmed their relationship in September last year.
In their first joint interview with OK! magazine in November, they revealed they were already keen to start a family.
Argent had previously shared his feelings on Instagram, writing: “I honestly started to think that it might not happen for me but I found you and everything changed.”
He added “Jag älskar dig” which means “I love you” in Swedish.