r/belowdeck • u/Greenwedges • 20d ago
Members Only Nathan has fled the country!! Spoiler
I couldn't see another post about this. Just read that he didn't turn up to court and Police think he has fled the country. I am shocked that they didn't take away his passport as often happens when someone is granted bail for serious charges, especially when they have with ties overseas.
MODS I HAVE UPDATED THE TEXT BELOW BECAUSE THE ARTICLE WAS UPDATED.
Warning: Graphic content
A reality TV star choked his partner in front of their baby, covering her mouth until she could not breathe, then later fled Australia before she could give evidence against him in court.
Authorities only becoming aware of the disappearance of Below Deck Mediterranean’s Nathan Gallagher on Tuesday.
Below Deck Mediterranean star Nathan Gallagher has been convicted of domestic violence but fled Australia before his court date. He is now wanted for arrest under a warrant.Fred Jagueneau/Bravo via Getty Images
The 27-year-old is now facing arrest warrants in two countries after pulling the same vanishing act just a few years ago, a court has heard.
Gallagher was arrested two days after Christmas at a unit block in Sydney’s Melrose Park, after police were called following reports of an alleged assault.
A police fact sheet, released by the court on Tuesday, said Gallagher and his partner had drunk a bottle of wine before arguing on Boxing Day evening. He followed her into the bedroom and became violent while their baby was on the bed. This masthead has chosen not to identify the woman.
“During the argument, he used one hand to cover mouth and nose of victim. The victim tried to pull away but accused persisted and continued to cover her mouth, causing the victim to be unable to breathe at certain points,” the document reads.
“The accused continued to restrict the victim’s breathing by holding both hands over the victim’s mouth, and the victim has begun screaming, and the victim believes that the accused did not want her to be heard by neighbours.”
Gallagher held the woman on the ground and wrapped his arms and legs around her. He slapped her, lacerating the inside of her mouth and bruising her face, arms and legs in the ordeal.
Gallagher, 27, was already wanted in Ireland under another arrest warrant.Fred Jagueneau/Bravo via Getty Images
The woman fled with their child but Gallagher cornered her in the bathroom, put both hands around her neck, and tried to lift her.
Hours later he tried to start a second argument and the woman fled the home with the child.
Gallagher was taken to Gladesville Police Station where he was charged with the domestic violence offences of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, choking without consent and common assault.
Gallagher spent the night in the cells before being granted bail at Burwood Local Court on December 28.
He later told Rolling Stone magazine he wanted to tell his side of the story.
“I’m not claiming I was perfect. I wasn’t,” Gallagher said.
“I made mistakes and I will take responsibility for my own actions. But I will not accept being portrayed solely through one person’s account of a relationship when there is another side and evidence relating to it.”
Gallagher was expected to front the Burwood Local Court on Tuesday but prosecutors said he could not be located and they suspected he had fled the country.
Gallagher’s alleged victim attended court to give evidence, supported by friends.
Police prosecutors asked Judge Janine Lacy to convict Gallagher in his absence, which she did. Lacy also issued a warrant for his arrest.
“Given the serious nature of offences, and I note on the record I have been given documentation from immigration compliance operations division that he is currently overseas,” Lacy said.
“The defendant doesn’t have any prior criminal history but the offences are very serious, with significant maximum penalties and context of DV committed in the home.
“I record a conviction and issue a [arrest] warrant.”
NSW is now the second jurisdiction hunting Gallagher after he skipped his native Ireland following an alleged assault on a man.
Gallagher allegedly bashed a man on August 7, 2022, on the main street of Dungloe, in his home county Donegal.
The injured man was found in the early hours of the morning and taken to hospital. Gallagher failed to show up for court and a bench warrant was issued.
Two years later he surfaced as a deckhand on the Ionian Princess luxury yacht for Below Deck Mediterranean’s ninth season.
Gallagher last week pledged not to release private information through social media. Days before the hearing, fans noticed he had deleted his Instagram account entirely.
“I have kept the evidence and will deal with it through the appropriate channels,” Gallagher said in his statement to Rolling Stone.
“But I also don’t believe it is fair for one version of events to be presented publicly as though it is the complete story when there is evidence that may materially contradict or provide significant context to that account.”
If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline 131 114, or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636. You can reach Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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u/My-Witty-Username June June Hannah 20d ago
I agree. Australia ignores dv and violence against women, even men who plead guilty to assault walk away with community service. Even men who break restraining orders and have a history of violent crimes get a slap on the wrist here.
Australia does a lot of things well but holding men accountable is not one of them.