Gogglebox star ‘threw TV’ at terrified ex
A GOGGLEBOX star threw a television set at his ex-girlfriend and tried to strangle her as she begged him not to kill her, a court heard.
George Gilbey, 34, denies assaulting Gemma Conway at her southwest London flat in March as their young daughter slept upstairs.
The reality TV star, who has also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, was also accused of causing about £400 worth of damage by throwing lamps, a TV set and a baby gate at Ms Conway.
Alex Ng, prosecuting, told Wimbledon magistrates court in southwest London: “It’s an allegation of assault in a domestic setting. Gemma Conway will tell the court how she had an argument with Mr Gilbey and was attacked by him by punching.”
Giving evidence, Ms Conway said she had been in a relationship with the electrician for about two-and-ahalf years. He had visited the flat and was talking to her friends while she was out.
She told the court: “I heard George’s voice in the flat, talking to my friends. I could see he was very drunk.”
The court heard that, as her last friend left for the night, she bumped into Gilbey on the path leading into the property. “Then George came in. He wasn’t in for long when he dropped his bag and said, ‘You are a ******* bitch’.
“Then from that point on I remember I had my arms up and he started to attack me with various objects in the room.”
The court saw pictures of “strangulation marks” on Ms Conway’s neck and bruising on her arms.
Images of the chaos allegedly caused by Gilbey in the flat showed a bloodstained grey sofa with furniture and other belongings strewn across the room.
Ms Conway said: “I was trapped on the corner of the sofa. I couldn’t move my legs, they were going up in the foetal position.
“At one point he had his hands around my throat.” Beginning to sob, she told the court; “It panicked me as I could feel the strangulation.
“When the TV came on me I thought, ‘I’m in real trouble here’.
“I said to him, ‘Please don’t leave my baby without her mum’.”
The Gogglebox star is believed to have returned to his parents’ home after the incident earlier this year.
Gilbey, of Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, denies assault by beating and criminal damage.
The trial continues.