Star boxer Harry Garside met by police at airport, questioned over domestic violence claim

Victorian boxer-turned-reality star Harry Garside touched down in Sydney off the set of I’m A Celebrity to be taken away by police and charged with assault over an alleged incident with an ex-girlfriend.

Australian star boxer Harry Garside has been charged with domestic violence after a dramatic airport arrest on Tuesday.

Garside, 25, was met by NSW Police as he and his father Shaun walked from a Qantas flight which landed at Sydney Airport just after 2pm.

He was whisked to a waiting police car and taken to Mascot Police Station where he was charged with common assault.

The I’m a Celebrity Get me Out of Here! runner-up, who was still holding the Akubra he wore in the show as he left a police station after being granted bail, said he was “shocked” by what had unfolded since he landed in Sydney.

“It’s pretty confronting,” he said about being arrested at the airport. “Yeah pretty sad.”

Harry Garside leaving Mascot Police Station on Tuesday afternoon. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The charge relates to allegations Garside was violent towards his ex-girlfriend Ashley Ruscoe in March.

Ms Ruscoe has given The Daily Telegraph permission for her to be identified.

Garside’s social media post sharing his enjoyment of a upgrade to business class on his flight home to Australia.

“Last month, officers from Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command commenced an investigation into reports of an alleged domestic violence-related incident at Bellevue Hill on Wednesday 1 March 2023,” NSW Police said in a statement.

“Following inquiries, a 25-year-old man was arrested at Sydney International Airport about 2.40pm today (Tuesday 2 May 2023). He was taken to Mascot Police Station and charged with common assault (DV). He was granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday 24 May 2023.”

Garside’s father, Shaun, with whom he travelled on the flight to Sydney, was seen leaving the airport solo and carrying additional luggage which belonged to his son.

Garside is believed to have returned to his family’s home in Melbourne’s outer east after the arrest.

On Wednesday, his father told the Herald Sun the family would not be commenting on the allegations at this stage.

The boxer’s lawyers are expected to release a statement on Wednesday afternoon.

Harry Garside and then-girlfriend working out at Woolloomooloo PCYC when they were together. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The Daily Telegraph has been told that Ms Ruscoe spoke with police multiple times in the weeks after the alleged incident but detectives had to wait until he was back in the country to speak to the boxer.

Police will allege Garside spat in Ms Ruscoe’s face and elbowed her in the head during a domestic argument at her eastern suburbs apartment.

It will be further alleged there was a physical tussle over a mobile phone.

It is believed the alleged incident took place after the pair had broken up and Mr Garside had visited Ms Ruscoe’s apartment to collect his belongings.

Outside the police station on Tuesday, the Olympic medallist jumped into a taxi and was believed to be heading home to Melbourne to be with his family.

Garside was met by police when he touched down in Australia and taken to Mascot police station, where he was questioned and charged with assault. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Garside had clearly not been expecting the homecoming he received. Hours earlier, Garside shared a photograph to Instagram in Qantas business class after boarding the flight in Johannesburg with his father.

“Had to upgrade my best mate to business with me,” he wrote.

“His first time flying business. Money comes and goes, memories with loved ones last forever (black heart emoji). What an experience it has been. Something I will truly never forget, friendships that will last a lifetime. Massive thank you to everyone who supported me, can’t believe I made it that far into the show. Can’t wait to touch down in the best country on earth again. Bring on the journey to Paris 2024.”

The caption included a gold medal and an Australian flag emoji with the hashtag #chasinggreatness.

Harry Garside’s father Shaun Garside walking through Sydney airport alone after police took his son for questioning. Picture: Julian Andrews

Garside has spent the past several weeks competing on Channel 10 reality show I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! and placed second overall to champion netballer Liz Ellis.

Ms Ruscoe is a wellness instructor and personal trainer. She competed on another Ten reality show, the Amazing Race Australia with former partner Sidney Pierucci.

Garside won a bronze medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo in the men’s lightweight event.

While in South Africa but before I’m A Celebrity began filming, Garside told The Daily Telegraph he would take time in the jungle to figure out what he will do with his career in the future.

“To be honest I am undecided and I am hoping the jungle will be the place where I can explore it a little bit more with all of the free time,” Garside told The Daily Telegraph of his future career options at the time.

Ashley Ruscoe in Sydney on Tuesday.

Ash Ruscoe as a competitor in The Amazing Race.

I really hope that in that time I have a few answers about what direction I would like to walk in when it comes to boxing and the future of my life.”

He said there were three career options he was considering.

“There is professional boxing, set myself up for life, win a world title and make a lot of money,” he explained.

“Then there is amateur boxing, the honour and pride, Australia has never won an Olympic gold medal and I’d love to be the first. And then also as well, potentially walking away from boxing altogether and starting a family or putting my mind towards a business or something else.

“They are the three options, personally my heart and my love is still in boxing so I think option three probably isn’t really an option but it has still got to be on the cards I guess.”

At the time, Garside said he was “single” after splitting from Ruscoe.

He competed on the reality show for his chosen charity, Reach youth organisation.

Tuesday’s news comes amid reports the boxer’s former manager, Peter Mitrevski, has sent a defamation complaint to Garside over comments he made during the season of I’m A Celebrity.

Mr Mitrevski has said the comments were highly offensive and inaccurate.