A Spanish court has approved former The Only Way Is Essex star James Argent’s request to take a domestic violence course at home.
After he attacked ex-partner Nicoline Artursson, former The Only Way Is Essex star James Argent won a legal battle to finish a domestic violence program at home. In May of this year, the reality star was found guilty of violent offenses against the Swedish model.
After Argent, 38, shoved her down stairs in Malaga, former Miss Sweden star Artursson, 32, suffered injuries to her leg, hand, arms, and neck. After being detained by Spanish police for “an alleged crime of domestic violence,” Argent later admitted to receiving “ill-treatment in the field of gender violence” and received a six-month prison sentence with a two-year suspended sentence.
The TV star was required to complete a course on gender violence rehabilitation as part of his sentence. It was initially anticipated that he would attend face-to-face sessions, but the 10-week course is designed to “re-educate” offenders into creating a “new masculinity.”
However, it is reported that Argent filed an appeal with the court asking for online sessions to keep him at home. Additionally, it is reported that a Spanish court granted the request.
A source said: “The decision was taken a few weeks ago but Argent only found out about it recently. I’m sure it will have been a welcome early Christmas present for him. Not everyone is going to understand why the authorities appear to be bending over backwards to keep a man who assaulted his girlfriend happy.
“But the emphasis in Spain is very much on rehabilitation, and the fact James Argent lives in the UK and is not a resident in this country has been taken into account.”
The Mirror has contacted a representative of Argent for comment. Argent was handed his suspended prison sentence in May and agreed to do an abuse course as part of his punishment for his horror attack on former Miss Sweden Nicoline.
After being informed that prosecutors would demand his sentence of nine months in exchange for a full trial, he confessed to his crimes at Fuengirola’s Court of Violence Against Women.
In the early hours of the assault, Nicoline was seriously injured in her neck, arms, hand, and leg. After being informed that he was planning to propose to his then-girlfriend nine months after meeting her outside a supermarket, it happened when Argent performed at Elliott Wright’s Costa del Sol restaurant.
Nicoline broke her silence a month later to admit: “My fractures on my body have finally healed but I’m wounded inside.”Revealing shock new details of the incident in an 800-word Instagram post she added: “I was brutally thrown out of our new home in the middle of the night wearing only my pyjamas.
“I opened the door to let him in and only minutes after I found myself laying down on the stairs outside our house. She also placed the blame for Argent’s violence on constant clashes over his ex-girlfriend Lydia Bright. The shamed reality TV star-turned-singer will be made to listen to the testimonies of domestic violence survivors and helped to construct a “new masculinity” as part of his obligatory rehabilitation course.
According to experts, Arg’s re-socialization program would last about 50 hours total and span ten weeks following his assault conviction. Argent has performed music for parties, events, and nightclubs since his arrest.
Back in June, the reality star performed with his music outfit, The Arg Band, at the wedding of his fellow former TOWIE stars Georgia Kousoulou and Tommy Fordham. Gushing over the experience at the time, Arg wrote in an Instagram post: “My Best Friend’s Wedding. Congratulations to @georgiakousoulou @iamtommyfordham
“When you first met, we were all in Ibiza more than ten years ago,” I promise you, “I’ll never forget that.” You and I both knew each other was destined to meet. You have remained steadfast by each other’s side all these years.
Tommy had promised to sing at their wedding, and it did, and it did. You both have always supported me, and I had a great time being your Master of Ceremonies. I love you both so much and look forward to making many more memories of our relationship as we get older.
And he has been performing at festive events this weekend, sharing a video of himself dancing with a man dressed as Santa at a Broughton restaurant. He shared the most wholesome afternoon with Instagram thanks to @theargband, and he captioned it, “I had the most wholesome afternoon.
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
