The future King of Norway‘s stepson has sensationally admitted to assaulting his girlfriend ‘after an argument’ while ‘intoxicated with cocaine and alcohol’Â in a statement which has rocked the Nordic nation.
Ten days ago, Marius Borg Høiby, 27, the tattooed stepson of heir apparent Crown Prince Haakon, was arrested near Skaugum Castle, his family’s official residence, after the violent episode against his girlfriend, Rebecca Helberg Arntsen.
Now, speaking for the first time, former motor mechanic Høiby, labelled the ‘black sheep’ of the Norwegian Royal Family, has made a frank admission of his culpability and a grovelling apology to Ms Arntsen and his loved ones.
HIS DEFENSE ARGUMENT
In his statement, issued via his lawyer to state-controlled NRK, he said he suffers with ‘several mental disorders’ and has ‘struggled with substance abuse for a long time’, which he will now resume treatment for.
Photos reportedly taken of his lover’s home in Oslo after the argument showed a knife planted in the wall and a broken chandelier. In July, Borg Høiby announced his relationship with Ms Arntsen.
Borg Høiby, son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a previous relationship, was raised by his mother and stepfather with his half-siblings, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 20, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 18, but unlike them he has no official public role.
HIS ADMISSION
Speaking via his defence lawyer, Øyvind Bratlien, he said: ‘Last weekend something happened that should never have happened. I committed bodily harm and destroyed objects in an apartment in the intoxication of alcohol and cocaine after an argument.
‘I have several mental disorders which mean that throughout my upbringing and adult life, I have had, and still have, challenges. I have struggled with substance abuse for a long time, something I have been in treatment for in the past.
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‘The drug use and my diagnoses do not excuse what happened in the apartment at Frogner on the night of Sunday last weekend. I want to be responsible for what I have done, and will explain myself truthfully to the police’, the statement added.
HIS APOLOGY
‘For me, the most important thing is to say sorry to my girlfriend. She deserved neither what happened that night, nor the extreme pressure from both the Norwegian and foreign press afterwards.’
The motorcycle mechanic also apologised to his family for his actions that have ‘greatly affected you’.
