The Crown Prosecution Service has addressed why it made the decision to push ahead with Caroline Flack’s assault charge, despite dropping a similar charge made against ex-Manchester United footballer Nicky Butt.
Addressing fans’ angry reaction to why it was dropped for Nicky, a CPS spokesman said that it was “not appropriate” to “draw comparisons between unconnected cases”.
The spokesman continued to say that a decision on whether it is in the public interest to push ahead with an investigation is down to “individual circumstances”.
The backlash towards the CPS for pursuing the investigation comes after the Love Island host took her own life on Saturday, February 15.
Caroline Flack was found dead by suicide in her London home, an inquest heard today (Image: Getty Images)
An inquest heard today (Wednesday, February 19) that the reality TV star died by suicide by hanging in her east London home.
Caroline was charged for allegedly “attacking” her boyfriend Lewis Burton, 27, with a lamp in December, but Lewis publicly said he wanted the charges dropped and did not support the prosecution.
Last April, Nicky was accused of beating his estranged wife Shelley Barlow, but she later said she did not want to give evidence.
Nicky, 45, was set to face trial next week but it was dropped on Tuesday after no evidence was provided from the prosecution.
Nicky Butt’s charges were dropped earlier this week (Image: PA)
Former chief crown prosecutor for the North West, Nazir Afzal, has suggested the difference between the two cases could be that in Caroline’s case it was said to be “deliberate”, but Nicky maintained his charge was an accident.
He said: “Without the complainant giving evidence, it’s virtually impossible to rebut a defence of accident.”
Caroline’s family also released an unpublished note the star had written to defend herself over the charge, with the trial set to start on March 4.
Nicky was accused of beating his estranged wife Shelley Barlow, but she later said she did not want to give evidence (Image: Man Utd via Getty Images)
In the note she wrote how she had “took responsibility for what happened that night” but said it had been an accident and she was “not a domestic abuser.”
Caroline wrote: “I’ve been having some sort of emotional breakdown for a very long time.
“But I am not a domestic abuser. We had an argument and an accident happened. An accident.
“The blood that someone sold to a newspaper was my blood and that was something very sad and very personal.”
For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
