Gabriel Garland, a contestant on the popular British reality show Love Island UK, has spoken out after being removed from the show due to his alleged involvement in a stabbing incident. The 28-year-old, who entered the show as part of the Casa Amor group, was named in court documents related to the case, in which Vitor Mazzer was found guilty of two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent during a New Year’s Eve party in 2019.

According to The Sun, the incident occurred when Garland was a teenager, and he was not convicted in the case. However, his alleged involvement in the incident led to his removal from the show, which he claimed was a ‘disappointment’ and a ‘sad’ development, especially given the strong connection he had formed with other contestants.

In a video shared on Instagram, Garland explained that he had been cleared of any wrongdoing by a judge and that he did not have a criminal record. He expressed gratitude to fans for their support and kind messages, stating that he wanted to move forward from the situation in a positive way.

‘It is a shame that I’m making this video, but after everything that’s been said about me over the past couple of days, I just wanted to clear a few things up,’ Garland said in the video. ‘There was an incident that happened at a party I was at when I was a teenager. This incident is obviously one that should not be taken lightly, and was very traumatic for everyone concerned.’

Garland continued, ‘I just wanted to make it clear that the legal judge has found no wrongdoing against me, and I don’t have a criminal record. This has obviously resulted in me leaving Love Island, which is very disappointing, especially from a personal perspective.’

The incident has sparked a wider conversation about the treatment of individuals accused of crimes, with many expressing their support for Garland on social media. The hashtag #JusticeForGabriel has been trending on Twitter, with many calling for a fairer approach to dealing with accusations and the impact on individuals’ lives.

In a statement, a spokesperson for ITV, the network that produces Love Island UK, said that the show’s producers had taken the decision to remove Garland from the show due to the seriousness of the allegations against him.

Garland’s removal from the show has been met with widespread criticism, with many accusing the producers of being overly cautious and failing to consider the context of the allegations. The incident has raised questions about the show’s approach to handling sensitive and serious issues, and the impact on contestants’ lives.