CONOR McGregor did sexually assault a woman who accused him of raping her in a Dublin hotel, a civil court jury found today.
The Irish mixed martial arts fighter, 36, was accused of “brutally raping and battering” Nikita Hand at a hotel in south Dublin in December 2018.
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The Irish sports star – who arrived hand in hand with his partner Dee Devlin – previously told the court he had consensual sex with Ms Hand, 35, in a penthouse at the Beacon Hotel.
However, the jury in the civil case against McGregor today found he did sexually assault the mum-of-one on a Christmas night out.
The total amount of damages awarded to Ms Hand by the jury was 248,603.60 euros.
Read more on Conor McGregor’s case…
McGregor shook his head after the jury – who spent six hours and 10 minutes deliberating – read out that Ms Hand had won her case against him.
But she lost her case against another man, James Lawrence, who she claimed also “brutally raped and battered” her in a hotel penthouse during a cocaine and alcohol-fuelled afterparty.
Both had denied her allegation, and claimed the sex was consensual.
Earlier in the case, McGregor described Ms Hand’s allegations as “lies” and claimed they had “enthusiastic and athletic” sex.
The cage fighter was shown photos of bruises on Ms Hand’s body taken in the days after the alleged assault.
Under cross-examination, McGregor denied causing the bruises, saying they “possibly came from her diving into the bath”.
Ms Hand’s barrister highlighted how a tampon had to be removed from her using forceps in hospital when she attended after the alleged rape.
Mr Gordon said: “The liar here is McGregor who doesn’t have the courage or the decency to own up to what he did.
“He’s not a man, he’s a devious coward and you should treat him for what he is.”
And referring to bruising on Ms Hand’s body, Mr Gordon said: “Let’s put it this way: somebody did it. It happened in the Beacon Hotel. It was McGregor.”
Speaking outside court, Ms Hand said: “I would like to start off by saying I’m overwhelmed and touched by the support I have received from everybody.”
She then went onto thank an array of people who supported her during the case, before adding an emotional tribute to her daughter.
While sobbing, she said: “Lastly I want to thank my daughter Freya, who I’m most grateful for.
“She has given me so much strength and courage over the last six years throughout this nightmare, to keep on pushing forward for justice.
“I want to show Freya and every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is and justice will be served.”
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