MAFS UK star swerves jail after assault and harassment conviction – and is paying victim just £5 a week
MARRIED At First Sight’s Thomas Hartley has avoided jail after pleading guilty to a public order offence after an altercation in London.
The incident, which happened at Euston rail station in February, saw Thomas accused of harassing and using threatening language towards a woman.
Thomas, 32, was arrested and pleaded guilty in Liverpool Knowsley and St Helen’s Magistrates’ court on September 21.
A source said: “Thomas was caught up in a row in London and was nicked last February.
“He put his hands up and pleaded guilty when he was in court last month.
“Thomas wants to move on from the incident as it is not something he is proud of.”
READ MORE ON MAFS
Court documents revealed how Thomas, who appeared on MAFS last year, has agreed to pay £5 a week to clear a £442 bill which includes a £180 fine, £50 in compensation and £120 costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.
The judge in the case took into account Thomas’ guilty plea during sentencing for the offence, which could have seen him locked up for six months and facing an unlimited fine.
Thomas was seen on screen during the last series of E4’s hit show MAFS.
On the show he married Adrian Sanderson but their union ended badly.
Most read in Showbiz
Last month Adrian said: “Our time on MAFS was unforgettable and at times Thomas was a supportive person and we grew a love for each other through hard work, love and learning.
“But to the rest of the group I was consistently worried Tom would be perceived as unkind. I tried to help him, to give him time, to understand him and he absolutely grew.”
Thomas hit back, saying: “It's over, and I'm glad it's over.”
A representative for Thomas told The Sun: "In February this year Thomas was struggling with addiction to alcohol and drugs following his departure from Married At First Sight and the impacts that had on his mental health.
"This resulted in a mental break down and drug induced mental health episode that spilled out publicly at Euston Station.
"Unfortunately, during this moment Thomas was met by a member of the public, who happened to be a fan of the show and she alerted authorities to his state and falsely accused him of assault, which was later disproved.
"The authorities failed to recognise the mental crisis Thomas was facing and subsequently charged him with a public order offence.
"Due to his vulnerable state, and embarrassment the following morning, Thomas refused any legal representation and was not fit to declare himself guilty. Nevertheless Thomas accepts that witnessing a mental health crisis can be upsetting and further made difficult when you are a fan of the person suffering the episode.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
"He accepts that swearing at the woman to leave him alone, during the drug-induced mental health crisis was no doubt deeply upsetting for her. He has held himself accountable for that in pleading guilty and has taken steps to prevent that happening again.
"Currently, Thomas is battling withdrawals from antidepressants, along with suffering with Bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD and anxiety. He is currently under supervision to prevent suicide as a result of the steps he is taking to ensure he can live a safe and happy life. Due to the severity of withdrawal he is also attending therapy for his mental health."
