Reality TV star Jeremy McConnell has been jailed for 18 weeks after skipping community service to get a beard and hair transplant.
McConnell, from Dublin, was told he will spend Christmas locked up during a short hearing at Cardiff Crown Court today.
The former Big Brother contestant was hauled back into the dock after he failed to ‘comply’ with a community work order that he was given in August.
McConnell was handed a 20-week suspended sentence and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, after being found guilty of assaulting his ex-girlfriend Stephanie Davis.
During today’s hearing probation services recommended he be given extra hours of unpaid work for missing eight work appointments.
But District Judge Wendy Lloyd dismissed the recommendations and told McConnell he was being sent to jail.
Speaking via video link from Liverpool Magistrates’ Court, she said: ‘After trial I convicted you of a vicious alcohol-fueled attack on your partner and the mother of your child.
‘She received a number of injuries and you also damaged her property.
‘You showed no regard for your little baby, who was caught up in the violence.
‘I was anxious to protect other women from your violence in future, so I gave you a suspended sentence with rehabilitation requirements.
‘Your solicitor said it would be unjust to activate that sentence.
McConnell, who was handed a suspended sentence and the community order assaulting ex-girlfriend Stephanie Davis (right, the pair together), skipped on community service to go to Istanbul (left)
McConnell, who was handed a suspended sentence and the community order assaulting ex-girlfriend Stephanie Davis (right, the pair together), skipped on community service to go to Istanbul (left)
Ms Davis leaves Liverpool Magistrates’ Court during McConnell’s trial in August this year
‘However I find the reality is that your enthusiasm for cooperation has been short lived and there’s nothing to show in the future things will change.
‘You have done some of the work and it seems fair that I give you some discount for that.
‘I sentence you to 18 weeks of imprisonment out of the original 20.’
McConnell’s head remained bowed after hearing he would face jail, and remained silent as he was taken away by two dock officers.
McConnell told friends to ‘have a good Christmas’ on his Snapchat account as he faced jail for skipping on community service to get a beard transplant in Turkey
Despite being pictured wearing a hi-vis jacket while sweeping roads around the Welsh capital, McConnell skipped out on doing his total required hours.
Instead he went to get a hair and beard transplant at a clinic in Istanbul.
Sources close to McConnell said it was so he can look the ‘best he can’ as he propels himself back into the spotlight in upcoming projects.
Dressed in a hoody and ripped jeans, he bowed his head as he walked past photographers waiting for him outside.
While he appeared remorseful on his way into the court, before arriving, he posted sarcastically on his Snapchat account: ‘If I don’t see yas have a good Christmas’.
