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Former TOWIE star James Argent has been ordered to pay a surprisingly low sum of just £250 in damages to his ex-girlfriend, Swedish model Nicoline Artursson, after a violent incident that left her bruised and shaken.
The 37-year-old reality TV personality avoided jail earlier this month after pleading guilty to “mistreatment” following a terrifying domestic violence episode in Spain, where he was arrested for pushing Artursson, 32, down a flight of stairs. The disturbing incident occurred at a property in Fuengirola and was reportedly reported by concerned neighbours who heard screams.
Argent, who rose to fame on The Only Way Is Essex, received a six-month suspended prison sentence, meaning he will only serve time if he reoffends, and was slapped with a two-year restraining order banning him from contacting or approaching his ex-partner.
Now, newly released court documents reveal that the damages awarded to Artursson total just £250, a figure that has raised eyebrows considering the injuries she sustained. The provisional prosecution indictment detailed that Artursson suffered bruises to her neck and forearm, abrasions to her arm, hand, and leg, and was forced to seek medical treatment. The injuries, according to court records, took around seven days to heal.
Prior to Argent’s guilty plea, prosecutors had been preparing to push for a nine-month custodial sentence for a charge of wounding. However, he avoided jail time by striking a last-minute plea deal ahead of his scheduled May 5 court date at the Court of Violence Against Women in Fuengirola.
Argent, who has publicly battled addiction in recent years, spoke out following the verdict, insisting he remains sober and expressing regret over the incident. Speaking to MailOnline, he said: “I haven’t relapsed. I am still three years and four months clean and sober. I am devastated by what’s happened.”
Credit: instagram.com/real_arg
Despite the court case and public backlash, Argent returned to the spotlight just weeks later, performing with The Arg Band at a charity gig in London’s Connaught Rooms.
Argent and Artursson confirmed their relationship in September 2023, with Argent describing her as “a combination of Julia Roberts and Claudia Schiffer” in a gushing interview with OK! Magazine. He recalled being instantly smitten after spotting her in gym clothes and without make-up, saying: “I was like, ‘Wow, she’s beautiful.’”
Now, with their whirlwind romance over and legal proceedings concluded, many are questioning whether the punishment and compensation truly reflect the seriousness of the crime, and what message such a low damages award sends to victims of domestic violence.
