Love Island’s Cashel Barnett Hit with Fresh Assault Charges Over Alleged Child-Present Attack
Cashel Barnett’s spectacular career pivot from reality TV heartthrob to jailhouse regular reached a new low this week. According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Utah prosecutors slapped the former Love Island star with three additional felony counts—aggravated sexual assault, aggravated assault, and domestic violence in the presence of a child—stemming from an alleged incident last November. Because nothing says “prime time entertainment” like an alleged violent outburst in front of a toddler, right?
Barnett has been sitting in a Utah jail since late May, held without bail. The charges claim he slapped and choked his ex-girlfriend while forcing himself on her just steps away from their one-year-old, whose tears reportedly punctuated the attack. If only there were a trophy for worst parenting cameo, he’d already have a shelf full. Prosecutors say the alleged violence erupted after a month of withheld intimacy when the victim asked Barnett to find work to help support their child. Talk about misreading the memo on healthy communication.
Court records also detail a chilling exchange in which Barnett allegedly shoved his hands down the victim’s pants. When she kissed him—perhaps hoping to defuse the tension—he flew into a rage and barked, “Is this what you fucking want?” Moments later, the alleged assault escalated, and the victim briefly lost consciousness. At this point, the term “relationship goals” would be an insult to everyday couples. According to Utah County Sheriff’s Office booking logs, Barnett’s arraignment on these new counts is scheduled for later this week.
Fans might remember Barnett from Love Island’s 2019 season and MTV’s The Challenge: USA in 2022, but his latest headlines suggest he never mastered the art of leaving the villa gracefully. He apparently figured that outrunning bad choices was as easy as flashing a smile on camera—spoiler alert, it’s not. Legal observers note that aggravated sexual assault in Utah carries a stiff prison term if convicted, and the involvement of a minor only piles on the potential penalties.
Call it character development if you’re feeling optimistic. For now, Barnett remains behind bars, and his ex is seeking justice with these new charges. Keep your remote handy; this real-life drama is far from over. But hey, tune in next time for more regrettable headlines and questionable life choices—humanity at its finest.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ, Utah County Sheriff’s Office booking logs
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
