Married at First Sight groom Telv Williams pleaded guilty to assaulting a man during a violent street brawl, Daily Mail Australia can reveal.
The 33-year-old, known as Telverne Onus at the time, was charged with five offences over the November 20, 2002, fight in Portland, Victoria, when he was just 18.
His violent history is in contrast to his ‘good guy’ image on the hit Channel Nine reality TV show – but he has never denied having a tumultuous past.
New details of Telv’s past: The MAFS star is seen here in 2009 – several years after the assault guilty plea
Married at First Sight groom Telv Williams ‘kicked and punched’ a man during a violent street brawl, a Victorian court heard in 2003. He pleaded guilty to one count of assault in company
Williams married Sarah Roza, 38, (pictured together) in the Married at First Sight premiere
The brawl began when the victim heard an argument between his fiancée and an associate of Williams’s outside his house and went to investigate, a court heard.
The Portland Local Court heard the victim was knocked to the ground by a group and was punched and kicked by Williams and others.
Court documents said Williams was charged with two counts of assault in company, and one each of assault by kicking, unlawful assault and affray.
He pleaded guilty to one count of assault in company and received a 12-month good behaviour bond and a $200 fine.
No conviction was recorded and the other charges were dropped.
The 33-year-old (right), known as Telverne Onus at the time, was charged with five violent crimes over the November 20, 2002, fight in Portland, Victoria, when he was just 18, but four charges were later dropped
Court documents revealed Williams ‘forcefully kicked and punched’ the victim’s head and face as he lay on the road
A person familiar with the incident said: ‘Every time I see him on TV I just want to punch a hole in the tele.’
The single father-of-two has spoken extensively of his turbulent upbringing – where his alcoholic mother was frequently beaten by her boyfriends – to promote the show.
He has never mentioned the brawl and is portrayed as having risen above his troubled past.
Williams credited his ‘getting on a straight path’ to the ‘stabilising’ influence of his stepfather, who his mother met when he was 10.
‘It brought stability in our lives, and he’s a very good man,’ he has said.
Williams was charged with two counts of assault in company, and one each of assault by kicking, unlawful assault, and affray. He pleaded guilty to an assault charge and the rest were dropped
His violent criminal history is in stark contrast to his ‘good guy’ image on the Channel Nine reality TV show, where he quickly became a fan favourite
‘He’s like my father figure. He’s definitely helped me go onto a straighter path,’ he told the Nine Network.
Williams said he, along with his older brother, had to be ‘the adults’ and care for his mother when they were growing up.
Now living in Perth, Williams married Sarah Roza, 38, during MAFS’ season premiere.
‘He is a family man,’ relationship expert John Aiken said on the decision to match him with Sarah.
‘He has young kids and he really does want to settle down and I think he’s got a kind side to him which really could fit the mark for Sarah’.
Williams and Roza are apparently still together months after the show was filmed, spotted cosying up to each other at a Melbourne cocktail bar
The FIFO worker also drew rave reviews on social media after walking down the aisle, with many fans declaring that love would be dead if they broke up
The FIFO worker also drew rave reviews on social media after first walking down the aisle, with many fans declaring that love would be ‘dead’ if the couple broke up.
‘Never thought I’d see a couple on this show that I’d hope go the distance from the second they started talking. Fingers crossed for Sarah & Telv’, one viewer tweeted.
‘Why am I already so obsessed with Sarah and Telv?’ another asked.
‘If Telv and Sarah don’t make it the last shred of hope I have in true love is dead,’ read a similar Twitter post.
Williams’ portrayal and reception contrasted with other male contestants who have been characterised as oddballs or ‘villains’.
However, on Thursday, Daily Mail Australia published a leaked email appearing to be sent by Telv to a MAFS producer in which he apparently confirmed his split with Sarah.
In the email, he claimed to have blocked her number. Speaking to Kyle and Jackie O he denied writing or sending the email altogether.
‘I don’t know what to say about that, I’m not allowed to talk about that stuff at the moment,’ he said.
He then said: ‘No, that’s not my email’ – despite the email appearing to be sent from Telv’s email account to a producer working on the show.
The pair later posted a video to Instagram, telling fans ‘don’t believe everything you read’.
The Nine Network was contacted for comment.