Musician Zayn Malik has pleaded no contest to charges that he harassed his girlfriend – supermodel Gigi Hadid – and her reality TV star mother during a violent September 29 argument at the family's home outside Philadelphia.
The former One Direction singer was accused of grabbing Yolanda and shoving her against a dresser, according to court documents. Malik engaged in “continuous cursing” at Yolanda Hadid, the documents said, and telling her to stay away from his daughter, Khai.
Malik, 28, also told Gigi to “defend your partner against your ... mother in my house,” according to charging documents filed in Bucks County. He also tried to fight a man, whom TMZ identified as a security guard, who was also at the house, the documents said.
Malik entered a plea to four summary counts of harassment on Wednesday. The plea means that Malik refused to admit guilt but accepted the punishment.
A judge sentenced him to 90 days of probation on each count, or nearly a year in total. He must complete an anger management class, and be screened for and “if approved” complete a domestic violence programme. He was also ordered to have no contact with Yolanda or the security guard. Probation could be lifted in six months if Malik satisfies the conditions, according to documents.
Malik addressed the charges on Twitter, writing that he “agreed to not contest claims arising from an argument I had with a family member of my partner's who entered our home while my partner was away several weeks ago". He complained the case had been leaked to the media and called it a “private matter”.
A representative for Gigi issued a statement to People magazine that said she “asks for privacy during this time”.
Malik and Gigi Hadid, 26, share their daughter Khai, aged 1. The couple had been dating off-and-on for several years. She has become one of the world’s most in-demand models and he was the first to leave One Direction to strike out as a solo artist.
See Gigi Hadid's style evolution:
