Boxer Harry Garside’s ex Ashley Ruscoe to fight domestic violence charges
A heated exchange has broken out in court as Olympic boxer Harry Garside’s ex-girlfriend fights domestic violence charges.
The former partner of Australian boxer great Harry Garside will fight allegations of domestic violence, just months after an assault charge against the Olympian was dropped.
Ashley Alsione Ruscoe pleaded not guilty at Sydney Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday charged with two domestic violence-related offences, following her arrest in Sydney’s southeastern suburbs last week.
NSW Police said the 35-year-old had been arrested at a Bellevue Hill home following an investigation into allegations of a domestic violence incident believed to have occurred at the property on March 1.
Appearing before Downing Centre Court, Ms Ruscoe’s lawyer Bryan Wrench confirmed the allegations related to the same March 1 incident, before making multiple allegations about Mr Garside and his conduct.
“We are concerned about the motivation of Mr Garside,” Mr Wrench said.
“Mr Garside made a statement only after he discovered other people were coming forward.
“This is about allowing police to do a full and thorough investigation.”
Mr Wrench claimed during the court hearing that Mr Garside had admitted to “spitting” on Ms Ruscoe.
He also raised concerns about an interview Mr Garside did on Sunrise and alleged video evidence.
“We’ve received the so-called videos that clear his name – they do not clear his name,” Mr Wrench told the court.
He added before being cut off: “He’s then on Sunrise saying he gave his phone over …”
Mr Garside previously told Sunrise host David Koch he had given his phone to police.
On multiple occasions, Mr Wrench clashed loudly with Magistrate Jennifer Atkinson.
Ms Atkinson told Mr Wrench the courtroom was “not the forum” for the issues raised.
“Mr Wrench, this is not the forum to negotiate with police,” she said.
“We don't do it with anyone else, I'm not going to let you here. I’m stopping you.
“You have an undertaking from police, and if there is a difficulty down the track, we will deal with that.”
Mr Wrench told the court he was “surprised” Ms Ruscoe had been charged, and would be applying to find out why.
Before being shut down by Magistrate Atkins, he said he would call multiple witnesses during the hearing.
“We expect witnesses to be called on our behalf,” Mr Wrench said.
“That includes tendency witnesses to show Mr Garside has a history of domestic violence.”
Ms Ruscoe, a fitness influencer and self-described wellness coach, was granted conditional bail as she faces charges of domestic violence-related common assault and stalk or intimidate intending to cause fear or harm.
The charges come just months after Mr Garside’s charge was sensationally dropped, after his defence team told the same Sydney court a video previously not seen by police showed Ms Ruscoe as the alleged aggressor.
The Olympic medallist was arrested after returning from Johannesburg on May 2 after a stint on I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here!, following allegations by Ms Ruscoe that he assaulted her.
Mr Garside was accused of assaulting Ms Ruscoe at a property in Bellevue Hill home between 4pm and 7pm on March 1, and categorically denied the allegations throughout the court battle, before the charge was dropped.
He later told TV show host David Koch the allegations were his “boy to man” moment.
Mr Garside and Ms Ruscoe first began dating in 2019, but separated 18 months later.
Ms Ruscue will reappear before the same court later this year.
A bail condition requiring Mr Ruscoe to report to police was also removed.
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