No, Ben did not hit me - Barba's ex-partner Ainslie Currie denies ugly assault rumours
THE estranged partner of Ben Barba last night angrily denied rumours about their relationship, declaring that Barba had not assaulted her.
THE estranged partner of troubled league superstar Ben Barba last night angrily denied rumours about their relationship, declaring that Barba had not assaulted her.
Ainslie Currie, whose break-up with the Dally M champ late last year helped trigger Barba's escalating problems involving alcohol, gambling and anger, emphatically denied that he had physically hurt her.
"I heard rumours floating around about my personal life and I have had family and friends ring to see if I am OK," she said.
"For the record, I am OK.
"I am healthy but I am dealing with an enormous situation regarding my break-up, which is being played out in a public forum.
"Ben has asked for privacy from the Bulldogs and the media and I guess it's my turn to let people know that I am fine.
"I am not physically hurt but dealing with a very personal situation that involves my children and myself."
Asked directly whether Barba had physically assaulted her, Ms Currie said: "No."
Ms Currie said she felt it was important to "set the record straight" on the question of whether Barba had physically hurt her after allegations proliferated on social media outlets.
She had been inundated with calls from concerned friends and family about the matter but wanted to make a public statement to "stop the rumours".
Her mission now was to protect the children she has with Barba - Bodhi and Bronte.
"I understand people's curiosity but wish our matter to be private and my absolute focus is on my children," Ms Currie said.
Asked if it would be possible for her to reunite at some point with her childhood sweetheart, Ms Currie said: "Who knows?"
Ms Currie's mother, who still lives in Mackay where her daughter grew up, said yesterday she had "no comment to make" on domestic abuse allegations.
Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg said last night he had heard the same rumours and had approached Barba's manager Gavin Orr, who had also denied them. Ms Currie contacted News Limited after Mr Greenberg passed on the phone number to Mr Orr.