A Los Angeles judge has renewed a domestic violence restraining order against Alice Evans for five years, granting actor Ioan Gruffudd a significant victory in their ongoing court dispute.

Court Ruling Details

Judge Michael Convey delivered the decision after a seven-day trial, describing Evans’s actions as a ‘concerted, focused, intentional and caustic campaign of denigration’ targeting Gruffudd and his wife, Bianca Wallace. The judge noted that Evans’s threats and intimidation caused Gruffudd to fear for their physical safety and isolated him from their children.

Evans, 57, admitted on the witness stand to posting denigrating and false content about Gruffudd, 52, and Wallace, 33, on social media. She expressed being ‘ashamed and regretful’ and assured the court her online behavior had ended. However, Judge Convey questioned the sincerity of her remorse, citing multiple violations of the prior three-year order issued in 2022, which required her to stay 100 feet away and refrain from negative posts.

Key Incidents Highlighted

The judge referenced disturbing episodes, including Evans screaming at Gruffudd in front of their daughters, Ella, 16, and Elsie, 13, threatening to ‘Amber Heard’ him, and instructing the girls to report if he acted ‘creepy.’ Another incident involved Evans publicly disclosing Wallace’s multiple sclerosis diagnosis online, which the judge labeled as ’emotional abuse’ and ‘coercive control.’

Judge Convey considered a permanent order but opted for five years, urging Evans to seek therapy and warning that violations could lead to criminal charges. He encouraged both parties to co-parent effectively, noting Gruffudd has not seen their daughters in two years.

Attorneys’ Arguments

Gruffudd’s attorney, Joseph Langlois, argued that Evans violated the original order repeatedly, endangering Gruffudd, Wallace, and their infant daughter, Mila, born in November. He highlighted death threats Wallace received due to Evans’s posts and emphasized a reasonable fear of future abuse based on her five-year pattern driven by revenge over their divorce.

Evans’s attorney, Janina Verano, contended that Evans acted out of isolation and devastation post-divorce in 2021, but has since changed. She noted Evans deactivated her Twitter account, stopped abusive messages, and faced job losses and travel issues due to the order, which affects family events.

Background and Next Steps

Gruffudd and Evans, who met on the set of 102 Dalmatians in 1999 and married in 2007, finalized their divorce in 2023. Disputes continue over custody, child support ($3,000 monthly), and spousal support ($1,500 monthly). Gruffudd seeks to end spousal payments, claiming overpayment by nearly $400,000 and alienation by Evans.

This ruling concludes the first phase of a nine-day trial. The next phase addresses support issues for the couple, together for over 20 years.