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Irish fighter Conor McGregor must pay 248,603 euros in damages to the woman who accused him of rape , a jury of eight women and four men decided at the High Court in Dublin on Friday.
With this verdict, the jury confirmed the version of Nikita Hands , 35, in the civil suit filed against McGregor and James Lawrence , a friend of the mixed martial arts star and who has been exonerated of the incident that occurred in a Dublin hotel in December 2018.
The plaintiff’s legal representatives had asked for 750,000 euros in compensation to relocate their client, who left the house she had bought with her then partner after the attack, as well as one million euros for the loss of income after leaving her job at the beauty salon for mental health reasons.
As she left the court, Hands read a statement in which she said her victory served as an example to “every boy and girl” that “you can defend yourself no matter who the person is, and that justice will be done.”
She also urged “all victims of sexual assault ” to come forward no matter “how afraid they may be.”
Conor McGregor reaction
For his part, upon learning of the sentence, McGregor assured X that he will appeal the decision of the High Court of Dublin, since the judge’s instruction and the compensation was for “assault” and not for ” aggravated and exemplary damages “ and confessed that he was disappointed that “the jury did not hear all the evidence reviewed by the Prosecution.”
“I am now with my family, focused on my future,” wrote the fighter, who was accompanied in the courtroom by his partner -Dee Devlin-, his mother -Margaret- and his sister, among other relatives, shaking his head in rejection , after stating during the trial that he had consensual sexual relations with Hands.
Judge Alexander Owens explained that the award covers “general and special damages,” including medical expenses, that Hands has suffered as a result of the sexual assault, although it does not include “exemplary or aggravated damages,” which would have raised the amount.
Hands’ defense presented medical testimony during the trial confirming that she had bruises and internal injuries, while another medical professional revealed that she had to use forceps to remove a tampon because it was located deep in her vagina.
Hands, who listened to the verdict in tears and hugged by her current partner, said that it was ‘The Notorious’ who proposed sexual relations with her but that she refused, so he tried to immobilize her on the bed up to three times until he succeeded, just as is done in the cage where mixed martial arts fights take place.
Defense work
McGregor’s lawyers have cited hotel security footage to argue that it shows the complainant was in a festive mood at all times, a version supported by witness Danielle Kealy, the friend who accompanied Hands to the luxurious hotel penthouse where the incident occurred.
The 36-year-old mixed martial arts star has insisted during the trial that he was innocent , stressing that he had “consensual, vigorous and energetic ” but “not rough” sex with Hands, whom he had known for years because they were both from the same area of Dublin and had mutual friends.
Both have also admitted to consuming alcohol and cocaine during the hours that the party lasted at the Beacon Hotel in the Irish capital.
As this is a civil case, the jury has not ruled on the guilt or innocence of the defendants, but after accepting that the complainant was raped by McGregor, the judge has imposed compensation that the athlete’s defense has described as an attempt at extortion.
Hands’ lawyers have said they have been forced to pursue civil proceedings after the prosecution refused to press charges, saying there was no reasonable prospect of conviction for McGregor and Lawrence.
