Harry Garside’s ex-girlfriend Ashley Ruscoe admits in court to assaulting him

Outside court, the Olympian said in a statement that he urged anyone affected by domestic violence to speak out.

Olympian Harry Garside’s former partner has admitted in court to assaulting the boxer.

Ashley Ruscoe, an online influencer who once appeared on TV show The Amazing Race, pleaded guilty on Monday to common assault and intimidation over the incident at her Bellevue Hill home in March 2023.

The 35-year-old was sentenced to a 12-month conditional release order without a conviction.

Another charge against Ruscoe of intentionally distributing an intimate image without consent was also taken into account as part of her sentencing.

Garside and Ruscoe during their relationship.

Ashley Ruscoe and her lawyer Bryan Wrench at Downing Centre, Sydney on Tuesday. Picture: Newswire

Garside has given permission to be identified in relation to that charge.

Outside court, he said in a statement that he urged anyone affected by domestic violence to speak out.

“Domestic violence is a serious problem in our country and I encourage anyone affected to come forward — your voice matters and you are not alone,” he said.

Olympic bronze medallist Harry Garside and Ash Ruscoe at Woolloomooloo PCYC in 2022 when they were in a relationship. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

An AVO has been put in place preventing Ashley Ruscoe from contacting Garside for two years. Picture: NewsWire

Magistrate Miranda Moody said an apprehended domestic violence order to protect Mr Garside from Ruscoe would be in place for two years.

As part of that order, Ruscoe must not approach or contact him in any way.

The court also heard that Ruscoe must not commit any offence while under the conditional release order and that she must re-appear in court if called upon to do so at any time.

In June 2023, Garside was cleared of an earlier domestic violence assault allegation against Ruscoe over the same incident at her home.

Garside, legally represented by solicitor Rebekah Giles in this most recent matter, always maintained his innocence when a charge was made against him, which was subsequently withdrawn.

The allegations against Garside cost him hundreds of thousands of dollars when sponsors cancelled deals with him.

Most have re-signed since.

Garside previously said the ordeal was stressful following the charges.

“What has occurred since has been personally devastating and a real test of my resilience,” he said.

Ruscoe, represented by solicitor Bryan Wrench, was contacted for comment.