Olympic boxing medallist Harry Garside has been arrested over domestic violence allegations on his return to Australia from filming I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! Australia 2023.
Garside was taken into custody at Sydney International Airport after police launched an investigation into reports of an incident involving a 32-year-old woman, a NSW Police spokeswoman told AAP on May 2.
“He has been taken to Mascot Police Station, where he is assisting police with inquiries,” the spokeswoman said.
CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to domestic abuse and may trigger some readers.
At the time of his arrest, the pro-boxer was travelling on a Qantas flight with his dad Shaun after returning from South Africa where he had been filming I’m A Celebrity.
He has spent the past several weeks competing on the Channel 10 reality show and was announced as the runner-up to former champion netballer Liz Ellis during the April 30 finale.
More details emerge about Harry Garside’s arrest over domestic violence allegations
According to The Daily Telegraph, as soon as Garside touched down at Sydney Airport, he was met in the customs area by two NSW Police detectives and two Australian Federal Police officers.
They escorted him to a waiting unmarked car and taken to a nearby police station where he will be questioned over an alleged incident that occurred in March with his ex-girlfriend Ash Ruscoe.
The 25-year-old is alleged to have been involved in an incident at the personal trainer’s apartment complex in Bondi, the publication reports.
Ruscoe is a wellness instructor and personal trainer. She competed on another Ten reality show, the Amazing Race Australia with former partner, Sidney Pierucci.
Harry Garside shares Instagram post before his arrest
Garside shared a snap to Instagram with his father on-board business class on a Qantas flight before takeoff.
“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,” he wrote.
The caption included a gold medal and an Australian flag emoji with the hashtag #chasinggreatness.
Garside won bronze for Australia at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and has won seven Australian national boxing championships.
He intends to compete for Australia at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Harry Garside and girlfriend Ash Ruscoe split earlier this year
During an interview with The Daily Telegraph, the athlete confessed that the pair had broken up earlier this year.
He also admitted that he was using his time on I’m A Celebrity to contemplate the next steps in his career.
“To be honest I am undecided and I am hoping the jungle will be the place where I can explore [my next steps] a little bit more with all of the free time,” he said.
“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.”
Harry Garside is being sued in a legal battle over ‘defamatory’ comments he made during I’m a Celebrity
The incident comes after reports that Harry was being sued by his management for comments he made during an episode of I’m A Celebrity.
On the show, the lightweight opened up to AFL player Adam Cooney about the struggles of being an athlete.
“I hated turning professional, just people around me who wanted me because I was a potential cash cow,” Harry told the 2008 Brownlow medallist.
“They didn’t want my best interests. It’s so dirty and I really didn’t like it.
“I hate knowing there are people around me who didn’t particularly care about my wellbeing, they cared about the 10 per cent. It was really frustrating,” he added.
These comments landed Harry in hot water and he’s reportedly being sued for alleged defamation and breach of contract.
Harry’s former manager Peter Mitrevski has said the comments were highly offensive and inaccurate.
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