A new Disney+ documentary has thrust the tragic case of television presenter Caroline Flack back into the spotlight, revealing for the first time an image of the head injury that led to her criminal prosecution.
The Incident That Sparked a Legal Battle
The documentary, Caroline Flack: Search for the Truth, examines the domestic dispute that occurred in December 2019 between the Love Island host and her boyfriend, tennis player Lewis Burton. The film shows Mr Burton parting his hair to reveal to police what appears as a minor red mark on his scalp.
This visual evidence stands in stark contrast to the initial 999 call, where Burton claimed Flack was "trying to kill him" and had "smashed him over the head with a lamp". When police arrived at Flack's London flat, they found both individuals covered in blood, though it was later established most of it belonged to Caroline herself after she had self-harmed during the altercation.
A Prosecution Against the Victim's Wishes
Despite the Crown Prosecution Service initially advising a caution, the Metropolitan Police appealed the decision, arguing that prosecution was in the public interest. This led to Flack being charged with assault by beating, a move that went directly against Burton's expressed wishes.
In a heartfelt Instagram post shared after the charging decision, Burton wrote: "Gutted I can’t spend Christmas with you. I want to repeat [that] I never pressed charges… I want this all to be over." The case proceeded as a "victimless prosecution", a legal approach used when authorities believe dropping charges could endanger a victim, even when they no longer support the case.
Conflicting Accounts and a Minor Injury
During the subsequent inquest into Flack's death, further details emerged about the incident's conflicting narratives. Burton stated he was asleep when struck, initially claiming a lamp was used before suggesting it could have been a fan or mobile phone.
Caroline Flack admitted to hitting him but maintained she had her phone in hand and never intended to cause harm. The police report ultimately described Burton's injury as "minor" and noted it did not require any medical treatment.
Family Criticism and Lasting Consequences
Caroline's mother, Christine Flack, features in the documentary series and continues to assert that her daughter was unfairly targeted due to her celebrity status. She commented directly on the Metropolitan Police's decision, stating: "If it was an ordinary person, you wouldn't have been bothered."
The documentary's producer, Sophie Clayton-Payne, confirmed that Lewis Burton declined to participate in the project, respecting that "everyone grieves differently".
Caroline Flack took her own life in February 2020, just weeks before she was due to stand trial. While the CPS later apologised for mistakes in its handling of the case, it maintains that she was not treated differently from any other defendant.
