Jeremy McConnell walks free after attacking Stephanie Davis but handed restraining order as she tells court ‘I want this nightmare over’

SMUG Jeremy McConnell has avoided jail for attacking on-off girlfriend Steph Davies - as she revealed how she felt like she was ";drowning" in an emotional statement read to the court.

Reality TV star McConnell "showed no remorse" and smiled as he walked free from court after throwing the mother of his child "around like a rag doll" as she held their baby son.

He was handed 20 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, will also have to attend a Building Better Relationships course, and carry out 200 hours community service.

A three-year restraining order was also passed by the court banning the 27-year-old from contacting ex-Hollyoaks star Steph - who wasn't in court today - or even entering the road she lives on.

Sentencing, District judge Wendy Lloyd said McConnell said she didn't feel the "trappings of fame" should make her treat the case any differently.

She added: "Steph had a number of injuries that were entirely consistent with her evidence including a large bite mark to her arm.

“I find you have displayed no remorse, not even for the effect of this episode on your young baby.”

An emotional statement by Steph read to the court today revealed how she worries she will have to explain to their eight-month-old Caben-Albi “what his daddy did to his mummy.”

It comes after The Sun exclusively revealed - claiming the stress he'd put her under had led to the miscarriage.

The statement said: "This incident has made me feel a nervous wreck.

"Every time I hear a loud noise I panic.

"I have to take anti-depressants.

"I feel like I'm drowning. I feel helpless like the whole world is against me and I feel alone and this has affected how I live my life.

"I feel numb inside and just want this nightmare to be over."

The court heard today how Steph suffered bruising to her arms and head, as well as a bite mark after the attack.

Today, McConnell arrived at Liverpool Magistrates' Court wearing a blue three piece suit clutching his mobile phone in his hand.

But a spokesperson for Steph revealed she wouldn't be there to see her ex sentenced because she is "busy" with their son Caben-Albi.

The rep added: "As a single mother her priority has to be the continued focus on her son.

"We await the sentence news later today with interest.”

McConnell looked nervous before the sentencing and sat with his hands folded in his lap in the dock of the packed courtroom.

He was told he will have to pay £1,000 compensation to Steph, a further £1,000 to the prosecution, and a victim surcharge of £115.

During the trial, a string of explosive claims came to light - including how McConnell believed Steph was having a lesbian affair with one of her friends and a separate tryst with a fireman.

Steph had wept as she told the court what happened, and also revealed McConnell had believed she had been using a sex toy with other girls.

Alternating between crying and shouting as she gave her testimony, Davis claimed the father of her child had attacked her after a night out and put her in a headlock.

He then grabbed her by the throat and threw her about "like a rag doll" as she held their eight-month-old baby in her arms, Steph told the court.

Steph said: “I heard him (McConnell) go over the gate and I thought ‘this is like a horror film’.

“He was booting my glass doors with his foot, and I thought the glass was going to shatter. I thought, ‘this is it, he’s going to kill me’.”

In mitigation today, the court was told how their couple's relationship, which started after they met on Celebrity Big Brother, was "volatile".

James Morris, representing McConnell, said drug use and infidelity “rose their ugly head", and that the TV star's "demons" need to be addressed.

He added: "Mr McConnell had a difficult upbringing in Dublin, he lost his mother at 13 and also in the same year his brother and sister.”

McConnell had insisted he was defending himself against Steph, who he said attacked him after learning he had taken cocaine.

But the court was told today he sought treatment for his drug use at Smearmore Castle Private Clinic and is now clean from cocaine.

He claimed injuries shown in photos were "self-inflicted" and that Steph was just angry he had ended their relationship six weeks ago.

The attack had also happened three days after him and Steph attended his dad's funeral.

McConnell had earlier pleaded guilty to criminal damage of Steph's property.

On Thursday, Steph tragically revealed on Instagram that she had suffered a miscarriage.
She wrote: "He ruined my life and killed our child!"

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