The Only Way Is Essex star, Mario Falcone, has been arrested, charged and cautioned for assaulting an 11 year old boy!

According to the Mirror newspaper, the incident happened earlier this month after Falcone and his co-star fiancée, Lucy Mecklenburgh, were targeted by the boy, in a group of other kids, outside the couple’s house.  A comment was made about Lucy’s ex, Mark Wright, and Falcone saw red and grabbed the boy by his collar.

The incident was reported to the police, and Falcone confessed and was charged with assault, but let off with a police caution.

A source told the paper: “Mario and Lucy were leaving their house when some comments were made about Lucy by a group of youths nearby who were making references to her ex Mark Wright.

“In the heat of the moment, Mario stormed over and grabbed one of them by the collar. It was a really stupid thing to do.

“The boy, who was 11 but looked older, went home and told his mum what had happened and she called the police.

“Mario was arrested the following day.”

Falcone, who has just finished filming the last series of the hit ITV2 reality show, offered his apologies to the boy and his family, according to reports.

A spokesman for Mario said: “Although both he and Lucy were the subject of some very hostile and confrontational provocation from a group of males Mario deeply regrets reacting in the way he did.

“He has already apologised to the boy and his family and offered to meet with them.”

Essex Police confirmed: “A man has been cautioned by police following an assault in Warley.

“Police were contacted shortly after 3.30pm on Friday, August 10, by the mother of a local 11-year-old boy who was attacked by a man on Crescent Road approximately 30 minutes earlier.

“Officers arrested a 24-year-old man at his nearby home address the following day and, following questioning, issued him with a police caution after he admitted to assaulting the boy.”

Whatever next?  Puppies beware!