Reality television personality Nathan Gallagher, known for his role on the show 'Below Deck Mediterranean,' has been convicted in Australia for a violent assault on his former partner and co-star, Gael Cameron. Gallagher fled Australia before facing justice and is now the subject of arrest warrants in both Australia and Ireland. The conviction occurred in his absence after he failed to appear for a scheduled court hearing.
Police facts detailed in court documents reveal a brutal assault that occurred on Boxing Day night in Cameron's Sydney apartment. The incident began with a verbal argument between Gallagher, 27, and Cameron, 29, who were in an on-again, off-again relationship. According to police, Gallagher became violent after Cameron asked him to sleep in another room. The assault, which lasted for several hours, involved Gallagher allegedly attempting to strangle and suffocate Cameron. During the struggle, Cameron's six-month-old son was present in the bedroom.
Court documents state that Gallagher used one hand to cover Cameron's mouth and nose, persisting even as she tried to pull away and breathe. Cameron attempted to scream for help, but Gallagher allegedly became more aggressive, at one point striking her on the jaw, causing pain and swelling. He also allegedly gripped her neck, lifting her and restricting her breathing. Cameron eventually fled to the bathroom, where Gallagher reportedly cornered her again before holding her down on the bed.
The following morning, Cameron left the apartment with her son and went to her brother's home. Police, who were subsequently called, observed bruising on Cameron's legs and arm, swelling to her face, and a laceration inside her lip, consistent with a physical blow. Gallagher was arrested and initially admitted to holding Cameron down, claiming it was to calm her. However, he denied choking her, covering her mouth, or punching her.
Gallagher, an Irish national who met Cameron while working on 'Below Deck Mediterranean,' has previously faced assault charges in Ireland, resulting in an arrest warrant issued in April of the previous year for failing to appear in court on a charge of assaulting a man and causing him harm. Following his conviction in Sydney, where he did not appear, a new warrant for his arrest was issued.
Before his conviction, Gallagher had spoken to Rolling Stone magazine, stating that he had not been judged fairly and possessed 'contemporaneous video footage' and other records that provided 'important context.' He also mentioned financial matters related to an apartment purchase as a factor in the relationship's breakdown. However, by failing to appear in court, Gallagher forfeited his opportunity to present any mitigating factors for his actions. Cameron attended the Sydney hearing, supported by companions, while Gallagher remained absent.