Playboy spared jail after girlfriend attack despite guilty plea
By Jo Abi| 1 year ago
Couple now engaged
**TRIGGER WARNING: This article describes incidents of domestic violence**
A London playboy has received a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to attacking his girlfriend and business partner.
Marco Nardone, 29, is the son of a millionaire wine importer and chief executive of social media app Fling.
The court heard Nardone dragged girlfriend Toni Allcock by the hair and kicked her in the stomach after an early morning argument turned violent.
Read more: Woman takes daily selfies to show the extent of domestic violence
The argument reportedly started over a WhatsApp message Nardone sent to an ex-girlfriend who was staying in his apartment while Allcock was away.
Prosecutor Katie Bryan told the court Nardone was drunk when he returned home in the early hours, put his hands around Allcock's neck and locked her out of his home.
"He then slapped her across the face," the prosecutor said. Her ears are constantly ringing due t the impact. She describes being able to get to the kitchen door...he shuts the door and locks her out.
"She then runs for the lift, banging on the button to call for the lift and to try and get some help.
"He dragged her back by her hair. He prevented the lift from closing. He booted her in the stomach.
"She goes down to the ground level and she runs to the lobby seeking help from security."
Turks and Caicos here we come!! 😆😆☀️🎉
A post shared by M A R C O N A R D O N E (@marconardone) on Oct 19, 2016 at 9:32am PDT
The court heard this wasn't the first incident of domestic violence in the relationship with the prosecutor saying Nardone had slapped Allock in the past.
Nardone pleaded guilty to the assault on December 12 last year.
The court was told the couple plans to undergo counselling in order to stay together, and are now engaged.
The playboy's lawyer Martin Lewis handed a letter from Narodne's therapist to the court, saying, "The defendant has gone to seek counselling and Ms Allcock wants to join in on those counselling sessions.
"This is a couple who hope to remain together for a long, long time. They are engaged, they work together, they are business partners, they are together twenty-four hours a day.
"They are two very highly ambitious people, who wish to stay together. Since being caught he's grown up and realises this has to be addressed."
☀️❤️ #barbados
A post shared by M A R C O N A R D O N E (@marconardone) on Aug 14, 2016 at 4:59am PDT
During sentencing, Chair of the bench Amanda Barron described the assault as "vicious, spiteful and sustained and very shocking".
"This is a pattern of behaviour and in the report she says you have slapped her in the past and grabbed her around the throat in the past. We are very concerned about her.
"We have thought very hard about sending you to prison today. It is important you have specific domestic abuse counselling so you don't do this again."
Nardone was sentenced to eight weeks in jail, suspended for 18 months. He also has to pay £85 (AUD $148) costs and a £115 ($200) victim surcharge within seven day.
Nardone is the son of Remo Nardone, 81, the owner of Enotria Winecellars.
The 29-year-old's company Fling is now in administration after failing to turn a profit. His father was the original investor of the company.
If you or someone you know is the victim of domestic or family violence please contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.