Mel B granted a restraining order from estranged husband Stephen Belafonte amid 'abuse' claims

Last month it was reported that Mel B had filed for divorce from her husband Stephen Belafonte, now the star has apparently been granted a restraining order from her estranged husband amid claims that he beat and sexually exploited her.

There are also allegations that Stephen got the family nanny pregnant.

According to TMZ, Stephen has been forced to stay away from Mel and her three daughters after her divorce lawyers were granted the restraining order yesterday, with Mel alleging that Stephen was aggressive and physically violent throughout their ten-year marriage.

Mel also claims that Stephen got their nanny pregnant, paying her over $300,000 of Mel’s earnings and forcing her to get an abortion, he’s also reported to own a gun despite being prohibited from carrying firearms due to a previous domestic violence conviction with another woman.

TMZ detail some of the alleged abuse, which stems back to November 2007, with Mel reportedly claiming that when she achieved any measure of success in her career he would “beat me down to let me know he was in charge”.

It is also claimed that Stephen beat Mel in August 2012, the day after she performed at the closing ceremony for the London Olympics with her Spice Girls bandmates.

In the legal papers Mel reportedly says that Stephen forced her to tweet that she had injured herself by running in Louboutin heels and falling over.

As well as physical abuse, Mel was reportedly also the victim of sexual exploitation, with it being claimed that Stephen forced her to “participate in sexual intercourse with him and random women” that he would secretly record – if she tried to resist the sexual activity then he would threaten to release sex tapes of her and “ruin her career”.

Mel also clarifies that she tried to leave Stephen on more than one occasions but he “threatened me with violence and threatened to destroy my life in every possible way… destroy my career and take my kids from me”, leaving her feeling helpless.

In 2014, Mel sparked concern when she took on the role of an X Factor judge in the UK, with viewers spotting bruises and marks across her body during the live shows.

However, Mel brushed off the speculation and alleged that a swollen eye that she suffered at one point during the show was actually the result of an allergic reaction.

Mel has not commented on the latest reports but Stephen has told paparazzi waiting outside his house that the allegations are untrue.

[ Mel B splits from husband Stephen Belafonte ]

[ Mel B fell out with her sister after she married Stephen Belafonte ]

[ Stephen Belafonte’s home searched by specialist police officers ]