Caroline Flack pleads not guilty to assaulting boyfriend

Caroline Flack has appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to attacking her boyfriend Lewis Burton with a lamp.

The court heard that the Love Island host was arrested earlier this month and charged with assaulting the 27-year-old after police found her partner covered in blood.

“He said he had been asleep and was hit over the head by Caroline with a lamp, causing a visible cut to his head,” prosecutor Katie Weiss said. “She had also smashed a glass and she had sustained an injury.”

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The court was also told that Burton made a call to 999 in which he was “almost begging the operator to send help”.

When a police officer arrived at the Islington flat, both Flack and Burton were covered in blood and the officer “likened the scene to a horror movie”, Weiss said.

However, Paul Morris, defending, said Burton was not a victim of assault and does not support the prosecution.

Morris said: “Mr Burton has never supported this prosecution. He is not the victim, as he would say, he was a witness.”

After the judge said Flack was banned from contacting Burton and from attending his address, Burton wrote on Instagram: “It's heartbreaking I can't see my girlfriend over Christmas.

“What I witnessed today was horrible. She did not hit me with a lamp. Arguments do happen every day in every relationship. Gutted I am not allowed to protect her right now.”

Flack, who appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court wearing a black coat, scarf and boots, later thanked fans on Instagram for their “continued support and love”, adding: “It's going to be a relief when I am able to give my side of the story.”

She was released on conditional bail before her trial on 4 March, which is expected to last a day-and-a-half.

Following her arrest, she stepped down as host of the upcoming winter series of Love Island. Laura Whitmore will replace her on the ITV2 dating show.

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