Charges dropped against Olympian boxer Harry Garside
Olympic boxer Harry Garside has revealed his plans for the future after he was “vindicated” when police dropped the domestic violence charges levelled against him.
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Olympic boxer Harry Garside has revealed he will be focusing on his sporting career after police dropped domestic violence charges against him.
He told reporters he was relieved to put the “challenging” period behind him and turn all of his energy towards qualifying for Paris 2024 Olympics.
The 25-year-old was accused of assaulting his former partner Ashley Ruscoe between 4pm and 7pm on March 1 at Bellevue Hill in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
He was arrested by NSW Police at Sydney Airport in early May as he flew home from South Africa where he had been filming I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!
After just four weeks, the charges were sensationally withdrawn by police in Sydney Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday.
Mr Garside sat in the front row of the public gallery alongside his lawyers, high-profile defamation barrister Sue Chrysanthou and solicitor Rebekah Giles.
Wearing a classic black suit with a white shirt, he grinned as the charge of assault and the apprehended domestic violence order application were withdrawn.
“There shouldn’t have been any charges in this case but my client is content with the speed at which (the prosecution) has moved,” Ms Chrysanthou told the court.
The surprise court win comes after the defence barrister previously told a court she had made “substantial representations” to police in relation to additional material not obtained by police.
“In particular a video of the incident in question which we say shows the complainant as the aggressor,” Ms Chrysanthou said.
“Other material where she has made threats about going to police to make fake complaints.”
Outside court, Mr Garside thanked his lawyers for providing “recordings and communications that gave police a full understanding of what happened”.
He said he had been “vindicated” by the outcome of the case, which was a “big weight off (his) shoulders”.
“Last month I returned from South Africa feeling motivated and optimistic about my future,” the boxer told reporters.
“What has occurred since has been personally devastating and a real test of my resilience.”
The Olympic bronze medallist revealed the charges took a “massive” toll on him and his family, including his mother who is battling cancer.
“She was almost more stressed about this than she was about what she’s going through,” he explained outside court.
“At least now she can focus on herself and focus on her wellbeing.”
The 25-year-old thanked police for their “diligence in reviewing the overwhelming evidence in (his) favour” and withdrawing the charges quickly.
“I’m absolutely stoked. It’s a great day,” he told reporters while grinning.
“I am determined to move on from this with gratitude and renewed energy towards qualifying for Paris 2024.”
The boxer’s social media reveals he has been training hard for the upcoming international competition, which is only 14 months away.
He previously won bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the men’s lightweight boxing, achieving the first Australian medal in boxing for 30 years.
The elite athlete also won a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in addition to seven Australian national boxing championships.
During his time on I’m a Celebrity, the young athlete revealed he was thinking of staying single for a while after his break up with Ms Ruscoe.
He began dating the boxing and martial arts instructor, who is nine years his senior, when she split from her boyfriend and teammate on The Amazing Race, Sidney Pierucci, in 2019.
The couple were often snapped by the paparazzi together and made several high profile appearances, such as at the GQ awards in November.
They dated for more than 18 months before splitting ahead of Mr Garside’s foray into reality TV.
Originally published as Charges dropped against Olympian boxer Harry Garside
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