Former Towie star James Argent has spoken out for the first time since he was given a suspended prison sentence after pushing his girlfriend down steps during a holiday in Spain.
The 37-year-old reality TV personality was arrested after the incident involving Swedish model Nicoline Artursson, 32, at her apartment in Costa del Sol.
Argent admitted to "mistreating" his girlfriend of 11 months in court following the altercation on May 5. Neighbours called police after hearing Artursson screaming when she fell down two steps outside her flat.
The former Miss Sweden reportedly required hospital treatment for her injuries, though the extent of these has not been revealed. The incident occurred when Argent tried to force Artursson out of the front door of her apartment during an argument.
James Argent and Nicoline Artursson
Witnesses said they "heard an aggressive man yelling" and "throwing objects from the terrace of a nearby house".
During the ensuing struggle, Argent pushed his girlfriend, causing her to fall down the steps. "We were frightened by his shouts. We couldn't believe what we were seeing," one onlooker told The Mirror.
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James Argent and Nicoline Artursson are no longer together
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The witness added that Artursson "appeared to be physically and emotionally devastated" by what happened. Artursson's mother reportedly arrived at the scene to care for her daughter, with police later transporting both to hospital.
Argent was arrested shortly after the incident and spent several hours in police cells before appearing in court the same day. At Fuengirola's Court of Violence Against Women, he pleaded guilty to a domestic violence charge.
The former Towie star received a six-month suspended prison sentence and a two-year restraining order preventing him from contacting or approaching Artursson.
Judges also ordered Argent to complete a "resocialisation course in the field of gender violence".
The Andalucia's High Court of Justice warned that any violation of these conditions would result in Argent being sent to jail. Prison sentences of two years or less are normally suspended for first-time offenders in Spain.
Speaking to MailOnline, Argent denied that the incident was related to a relapse into substance abuse. "I haven't relapsed. I am still three years and four months clean and sober. I am devastated by what's happened," he said.
A friend told The Sun that Argent is "extremely sorry" for his actions.
"He said he had a row with Nicoline and that he tried to end the argument. James said he pushed Nicoline and that she fell," the source said. "He is remorseful about what happened but is insisting he never meant any harm."
James Argent and Mark Wright both shot to fame on ITV's The Only Way is Essex
PA
The reality star has previously been open about his struggles with drug addiction and weight issues.
Argent and Artursson met last summer outside a supermarket in Marbella, Spain.
The couple went public with their relationship in September 2023, with Argent sharing an Instagram post of them enjoying dinner at Indie Beach.
"I honestly started to think that it might not happen for me but I found you and everything changed," he wrote, adding "Jag älskar dig" - Swedish for "I love you".
In an interview with OK! magazine, Argent described Artursson as "absolutely beautiful" and "a combination of Julia Roberts and Claudia Schiffer".
The pair had been living together at Argent's home in Essex and were reportedly looking to start a family. Just weeks before the incident, Argent had spoken positively about their relationship at Jess Wright's charity ball on April 22.
"Everything is good with us, it's going really good, I'm happy," he told The Mirror.
The couple had been photographed sunbathing together on May 2, with reports suggesting Argent was planning to propose.
Following the court case, Artursson has remained in Spain while Argent has returned to Essex.
Their relationship is now over, with sources confirming they "can no longer speak or contact one another" due to the restraining order. Artursson was spotted for the first time since the arrest on Wednesday, accompanied by her mother.
