The 'Jeremy Kyle Show' has been accused of "exploiting" a man who beat up his girlfriend.
Judge Sean Enright blasted the ITV1 programme for taking advantage of Jamie Juste - who attacked his former lover Rebecca Langley after a lie-detector test revealed she had been unfaithful.
He said: "There was plainly an element and exploitation."
Juste, 26, attacked the 23 year old - with whom he raises two children - after they watched back footage of the results when the episode was aired on TV in March.
He punched her to the floor and kicked her in the face repeatedly, leaving her with a swollen eye, suspected broken nose and bruising.
Sentencing Juste to two years in prison, he Judge Enright added: "It would have been higher but for the involvement of the television show, which seems to have fed your insecurities."
The courtroom heard how Rebecca had been caught out during a feature called 'Can Lie Detector Tests Save Our Marriage?'.
Show presenter Jeremy Kyle told her: "You lied!"
The jury at Peterborough Crown Court were told it had been Juste's idea to appear on the show.
ITV has since defended the show, claiming it is "surprised" by the judge's comments, and pointing out the couple had been offered counselling following the show.
A spokesperson said: "With respect to the judge, we are surprised at his remarks given that he pointed out that he has not seen our programme, and we absolutely refute the notion that it involves cruelty and exploitation.
"As well as discussing these issues in the studio they were given advice from our aftercare team offered counselling sessions prior to this incident.
"The court heard the attack occurred after Juste had been drinking and taking drugs."
Judge Sean Enright blasted the ITV1 programme for taking advantage of Jamie Juste - who attacked his former lover Rebecca Langley after a lie-detector test revealed she had been unfaithful.
He said: "There was plainly an element and exploitation."
Juste, 26, attacked the 23 year old - with whom he raises two children - after they watched back footage of the results when the episode was aired on TV in March.
He punched her to the floor and kicked her in the face repeatedly, leaving her with a swollen eye, suspected broken nose and bruising.
Sentencing Juste to two years in prison, he Judge Enright added: "It would have been higher but for the involvement of the television show, which seems to have fed your insecurities."
The courtroom heard how Rebecca had been caught out during a feature called 'Can Lie Detector Tests Save Our Marriage?'.
Show presenter Jeremy Kyle told her: "You lied!"
The jury at Peterborough Crown Court were told it had been Juste's idea to appear on the show.
ITV has since defended the show, claiming it is "surprised" by the judge's comments, and pointing out the couple had been offered counselling following the show.
A spokesperson said: "With respect to the judge, we are surprised at his remarks given that he pointed out that he has not seen our programme, and we absolutely refute the notion that it involves cruelty and exploitation.
"As well as discussing these issues in the studio they were given advice from our aftercare team offered counselling sessions prior to this incident.
"The court heard the attack occurred after Juste had been drinking and taking drugs."
