Meghan Markle’s half-brother was more than DOUBLE the drink-drive limit when cops arrested him for ‘holding gun to girlfriend’s head’
Thomas Markle Jr, 50, has been charged with menacing and pointing a gun at his girlfriend's head in a row last week
MEGHAN Markle’s half-brother was more than twice the drink drive limit when he put a gun to his girlfriend’s head, court documents claim.
Thomas Markle Jr, 50, has been charged with menacing, pointing a firearm at another person, and unlawful use of a weapon after the bust-up with his girlfriend Darlene Blount, 36.
Court papers show that his blood-alcohol level of 0.17 per cent – more than twice the Oregon drink drive limit of 0.08 per cent.
Markle Jr – who shares the same dad as Prince Harry’s girlfriend Meghan – is also alleged to have been carrying a gun in his waistband following the violent row, in Grants Pass, Oregon, on Thursday.
A police log of the incident states: “(Markle) got into a drunken argument with his girlfriend.
“During the argument (Markle) pulled a gun from his closet and pressed it up to his girlfriend’s head telling her not to leave.
“Girlfriend then fled into the bathroom and called police. (Markle) was contacted and taken into custody. (Markle) also had a gun in his waistband.”
Markle is yet to make a plea and is next due in court on February 13.
His bail conditions include abstaining from alcohol consumption, not possessing a firearm and staying away from girlfriend of two months Darlene.
Unlawful use of a weapon carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison and fines reaching £100,000.
Following the row, Thomas’ son Tyler, 24, apologised on behalf of his dad and said he was “seeking help” to try and solve personal problems.
Thomas Markle Jr told loved ones he is “seeking help” for the drinking problem that led to him allegedly put a pistol to his lover’s head in Oregon, US.
The 50-year-old, who shares dad Thomas Snr with Prince Harry’s girlfriend Meghan, said: “I am incredibly sorry for my actions and I’m especially sorry to everyone affected by my drinking.
“I am seeking help and I promise I will be the best person I can be going forward. Thank you for understanding.”
He was arrested on Thursday after the row with Darlene Blount, 36, at his home in Grants Pass, Oregon.
Court papers say he pointed the gun at her head in an attempt to get her to leave.
Markle Jr’s son Tyler, 24, said he received a text from his dad after the argument to say he was being taken to jail.
Tyler told The Sun: “He knows it is an embarrassment to Meghan and the family.
“He is very sorry and is apologising to everyone. He just needs some time to heal and reflect on life. But he wants to apologise for everything.
“He is in the spotlight now and everyone gets to see his flaws.
“Due to being inebriated, his emotions got the better of him and he got into an argument with his girlfriend. He’s not like this normally.
“I also want to apologise on behalf of my dad. Unfortunately my father has a problem with alcohol. He is now in recovery.”
Markle Jr moved up America’s West coast from California to Oregon for a fresh start after breaking up with a girlfriend.
But he is now charged with menacing, pointing a firearm at another person and unlawful use of a weapon after the clash with Darlene.
An official police log of the incident, in which his name is spelled wrong, said: “Markel and Blount got into an argument.
“In his drunken state Markel grabbed a gun and pressed it to Blount’s head in an attempt to get her to leave.”
It says Darlene rang the cops after locking herself in the bathroom before Markle, who owns a 9mm Taurus handgun, was arrested.
A mugshot of Markle Jr looking bleary-eyed later emerged online.
His ex-wife Tracy Dooley, Tyler’s mum, went to the jail after Markle rang her at 3am.
Debt recovery worker Tyler, who also lives in Grants Pass, added: “It is pretty serious what happened and it shouldn’t be taken lightly.
“But this is all about Meghan. She is being judged by people who are involved in her life.
“This is not who she is. I don’t want anyone to judge Meghan off the back of this. She shouldn’t be defined by anyone else’s actions.”
Suits actress Meghan, 35, has been staying with Prince Harry, 32, at Kensington Palace after returning from a holiday in Norway.
She is due to leave London next week to fulfil some charity commitments abroad.
Last night pals insisted she was not close to her half-brother or half-sister Sam.
One said: “Thomas was around when she was little but they haven’t spoken for some time.”
A royal source added: “Meghan has conducted herself impeccably and can’t be held responsible for her family’s actions.”
Dad Thomas W Markle, 72, an ex-TV lighting director, is of Dutch and Irish descent.
Meghan’s parents divorced when she was six, and her father now spends much of his time in Mexico.
By the time she was born in 1981, half-brother Thomas Jr, 50, was living with his dad, sister Samantha, and Doria in LA.
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