The Only Way Is Essex star Mario Falcone has apologised after he was cautioned by cops for assaulting an 11-year-old boy.
The TV hunk landed in hot water when he confronted a group of youths near his home in Essex after they made lewd references about his fiancee Lucy Mecklenburgh.
After grabbing one of the lads by the neck, the police were called and Mario was arrested and cautioned for assault.
A source tells The Mirror: "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."
Mario has now apologised for his behaviour.
His rep says: "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."
It's not the first time one of the TOWIE lads has been in trouble with the law - Joey Essex and Ricky Rament got a visit from cops after they were involved in an on-screen bust-up over Joey's sister Frankie earlier this year.
A spokesperson for the show said at the time: "Both Joey and Ricky have been informally warned about their conduct following the incident but the matter has not been taken any further."