SHAMED former Towie star James Argent must listen to abused women on a domestic violence course after his court conviction for pushing his girlfriend down some steps.
The reality telly favourite could be jailed if he fails to attend the rehab sessions over ten weeks in Spain.
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Argent, 37, was last week given a six-month suspended sentence and two-year restraining order after he turned violent during a row on holiday with his model partner Nicoline Artursson, 32.
He threw the former Miss Sweden’s clothes off a balcony at a beachfront apartment on the Costa del Sol. He then pushed her and she fell down steps outside.
Argent was arrested soon after the shocking incident last Monday.
He spent several hours in police cells before admitting a charge of domestic violence the same day.
READ MORE ON JAMES ARGENT
As part of his sentence, he must attend a domestic violence course which aims to help offenders construct a “new masculinity”.
Gregorio Gomez Mata, who runs similar workshops for Spain’s Prison Service, told The Sun: “My message to Mr Argent would be to take advantage of this course.
“His life will be better if he understands he has to change and so will the lives of any women he has relationships with in the future.
“We don’t arrange meetings between offenders and domestic violence victims, but the men who take part in our workshops do listen to the testimonies of women who have been assaulted by their partners.”
Meanwhile, Argent is set to lose out on a bumper payday.
He had applied for residency in Spain to sing all year round in Marbella’s bars and clubs, but that is now likely to be rejected.
Watch as James Argent is mocked by Towie co-stars for weight loss in Xmas special
One friend said: “This is going to have huge consequences for him.
“He was doing a regular stint at a bar in Marbella and was due to be back there later this month.
“At the moment, he can only work for 90 days in Spain but with a permanent residency he could have worked indefinitely. There’s no way he’ll get it now.”
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Argent’s row with Nicoline came after she hinted at his closeness with ex-partner Lydia Bright in a now deleted Instagram post.
She wrote: “Is it OK if your boyfriend or girlfriend is talking and hanging out with their ex and liking their Instagram posts etc? If you’re in a serious relationship you’ve got to respect your partner and leave the past in the past.”
Argent, who is back in Essex, said he was “devastated by what’s happened”.
Alluding to past drink and drug issues, he added: “I haven’t relapsed. I am still three years and four months clean and sober.”
Nicoline, seen in Spain, did not comment
Domestic abuse – how to get help
DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone – including men – and does not always involve physical violence.
Here are some signs that you could be in an abusive relationship:
- Emotional abuse – Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse – gaslighting – being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak to
- Threats and intimidation – Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you
- Physical abuse – This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten.
- Sexual abuse – Being touched in a way you do not want to be touched, hurt during sex, pressured into sex or forced to have sex when you do not consent.
If any of the above apply to you or a friend, you can call these numbers:
Remember, you are not alone.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse over the course of their lifetime.
Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse.
