Ex-Seven host Ryan Phelan denies assaulting girlfriend
On the eve of his court appearance, former Channel Seven personality Ryan Phelan has "unequivocally" denied assaulting his girlfriend.
A statement released on Monday afternoon by his solicitor Claudette Chau said: "The allegation is unequivocally denied by our client."
Ryan Phelan with girlfriend Chelsea Franklin.Credit:Instagram: @ryanphelan_tv
Phelan's girlfriend, ballet teacher Chelsea Franklin, 44, attended Frenchs Forest police station on Sydney's northern beaches on June 20 to report an alleged domestic violence incident, police said.
An hour after finishing his shift at Seven's Martin Place studios on June 22, Phelan attended Manly police station, where he was arrested and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault.
He was granted bail and will appear in Manly Local Court on Tuesday.
Phelan was immediately stood down by Seven, although he was due to finish up last Friday, following the axing of his show The Daily Edition.
Last Tuesday, The Daily Mail reported Franklin had gone to the police at "the insistence of her teenage daughter".
"I'm gutted, I'm devastated, I'm shattered. I've lost my lover, I've lost my boyfriend - I love him," Franklin was quoted as telling the media outlet.
"Obviously with what's going on with him being made redundant ... I think it just took its toll.
"It was just a horrible mistake, really; we've had a wonderful 2½ years together. Nothing like that has ever happened before.
"I love Ryan, he's an amazing person ... it's been a tough, tough week, but he's been an amazing person to me and I love him. It's just a horrible mistake."
❏ Support is available by phoning the National Sexual Assault, Family & Domestic Violence Counselling Line 1800 737 732; Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491; Lifeline 13 11 14.
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Andrew Hornery is a senior journalist and Private Sydney columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald.