Melanie Sykes discusses 2013 arrest for assault on ex-husband Jack Cockings

Melanie Sykes has mentioned her 2013 arrest for assault in opposition to ex-husband Jack Cockings for the primary time.

The presenter, 51, who wed Jack – then 27 – in Might 2013, was arrested at her London condo on November 12 of that 12 months, following a dispute with the roofer.

The star later admitted the offence after being questioned by Metropolitan Cops and was cautioned for widespread assault. Mel later launched authorized motion in London to have the warning withdrawn and it was faraway from official data.

Melanie, who divorced Jack in 2014, recounted the evening of the arrest and claimed cops did not test either side of the story once they arrested her, did not enable her to attend for a babysitter for her kids earlier than placing her in handcuffs and later inundated her with questions on showbusiness after cautioning her.   

She advised The Instances: ‘The doorbell went and I answered the door, and so they advised me that they had been there to arrest me. I used to be simply, like, ‘You’re joking.’ I used to be completely shocked. It felt like an out-of-body expertise. I’ve by no means ever been in bother with the police. I am not a violent individual, I am not able to it.’

Detailing the incident, Mel mentioned she shut herself within the kitchen after an argument with Jack on the evening of her arrest, after she had requested him to depart. She claimed that unbeknown to her, Jack had known as the police and claimed she had assaulted him.

The star admitted she was initially ‘clueless’ about why police had been at her entrance door and later needed to go away her sons Valentino, then 11, and Roman, 9, with Jack.

She claims the police didn’t endeavour to test either side of the story or ask if she was a sufferer, and easily arrested her. 

Mel mentioned she needed the ordeal to be over as rapidly as doable and to be residence for her son, and claimed she was advised to ‘take the warning’ when she requested for the ‘quickest manner out’ on the police station.

 The star mentioned after she was cautioned and brought again to her residence, the officers started ‘laughing and joking’ and asking her questions on her life in showbusiness.

She mentioned: ‘All the best way residence they had been laughing and joking and eager to know concerning the people who I’ve labored with. ‘What’s it wish to work with Des O’Connor?’ 

‘I used to be at the back of the automotive, having essentially the most traumatic evening of my life, attempting to handle two cops who need to have an off-the-cuff, enjoyable chat with me. What are you speculated to do? You possibly can’t inform the policeman that it is a actually inappropriate dialog as a result of, nicely, I used to be scared.’ 

Melanie mentioned she had assumed the police handled her in that manner due to her fame – however mentioned after chatting with pals she realised it was taking place to many individuals.

The star mentioned she had been spurred on to talk out about her remedy by the police following the homicide of Sarah Everard by then-serving Met police officer Wayne Couzens in March 2021.

Couzens used his police authority to falsely arrest Sarah, 33, earlier than raping and murdering her. 

The star says she needs to talk out about her police remedy to assist different ladies.

She claims the arresting officers believed Jack’s story and did not pursue her facet of the incident. Jack declined to remark to The Instances.

Melanie additionally mentioned the officers did not know easy methods to take care of the scenario and had been ‘missing in empathy.’ 

The day after her arrest she was known as by social companies which left her questioning whether or not her kids ‘can be taken from me.’ There was no additional motion.     

Melanie mentioned she now needs to marketing campaign on how the police deal with abuse allegations. 

A Met Police spokesman advised MailOnline: ‘We absolutely admire how occasions earlier this 12 months have heightened issues about violence in opposition to ladies in London. We fully share these issues.

‘Coaching of officers on the delicate and difficult problems with violence in opposition to ladies and women is totally essential. We’re reviewing our present superior safeguarding course to make sure that it displays nationwide steering. Officers will be capable to acquire and keep accreditation on this space, growing important abilities and understanding which can profit the general public.

‘We’ve got additionally began to ship new specialist coaching on home abuse to over 8,000 frontline constables and sergeants so we are able to enhance the preliminary response to home abuse and help officers with recognising and responding to coercive and controlling behaviour.

‘We’re always working with our companions in a significant and understanding manner, listening to views to assist us assist survivors of violence and to forestall violence occurring within the first place.

‘It’s proper that each one Londoners can belief our officers, workers and volunteers each time they encounter them. We rely on the belief of the general public. All officers know this and perceive that they should work more durable to re-gain the arrogance of Londoners.

‘Anybody who needs to make a criticism is inspired to take action. We need to hear about individuals’s experiences and have the chance to look at what has occurred, establish any poor efficiency and enhance the service we offer our communities.   

Melanie and Jack raised eyebrows when their relationship blossomed on micro-blogging website Twitter, however sceptics had been quickly compelled to eat their tweets once they received engaged in August 2012. 

 The engagement was adopted by a lavish ceremony in entrance of shut family and friends members.

Among the many visitors readily available to witness the couple trade vows had been fellow TV presenters Eamonn Holmes and Des O’Connor – her previous sidekick from their days presenting afternoon chat present At this time with Des and Mel.

Mel’s first marriage to actor Daniel Caltagirone resulted in 2009 after eight years, throughout which they’d two kids.