Conor McGregor DID sexually assault woman who accused him of rape in Dublin hotel, jury in civil case rules

CONOR McGregor did sexually assault a woman who accused him of raping her in a Dublin hotel, a civil court jury has found.

The Irish mixed martial arts fighter, 36, had faced an accusation that he “brutally raped and battered” Nikita Hand at a hotel in south Dublin in December 2018.

The Irish sports star – who arrived in court hand in hand with his partner Dee Devlin – previously told the court he had consensual sex with Ms Hand in a penthouse at the Beacon Hotel.

The jury in the civil case against Mr McGregor delivered its verdict on Friday afternoon.

The total amount of damages awarded to Ms Hand by the jury was 248,603.60 euro.

Ms Hand, who is also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin, lost her case against another man, James Lawrence, who she accused of assaulting her by allegedly having sex without her consent at the same hotel.

Following eight days of evidence and three days listening to closing speeches and the judge’s charge, the jury of eight women and four men spent six hours and 10 minutes deliberating before returning with its verdict.

Mr McGregor shook his head after the jury read out that Ms Hand had won her case against him.

Mr McGregor was accompanied by his family, including Dee, his parents, sister and brother-in-law.

He sat in the back row of the court, between his partner and mother, Margaret.

Nikita Hand, 35, had accused mixed martial arts fighter McGregor of a brutal rape after a Christmas night out.

The former hair colourist sought civil damages against the 36-year-old sports star over the alleged rape at a Dublin hotel penthouse in December 2018.

McGregor, who took the stand to claim he had consensual sex with Ms Hand, denied all allegations, as does co-defendant James Lawrence.

The jury in the High Court trial was sent out for deliberation at 3pm on Thursday following final remarks from the judge.

Mr Justice Owens told jurors that the onus of proof was on the plaintiff – and the standard of proof is on balance of probabilities.

The judge urged the jury: “Look at all the evidence.”

Judge Owens told jurors if they found that McGregor assaulted Ms Hand, they would have the option of awarding aggravated and punitive damages, as well as a general award of compensation.

After deliberating for around one hour on Thursday, the jury were sent home for the night at 4pm.

The judge had cautioned the jury not to discuss their deliberations with anyone last night, including any loved ones who must be “madly interested in all of this”.

The jury resumed their deliberations just after 10am today.

The jury of eight women and four men was given an issue paper, with a number of questions.

KEY QUESTION

Question one asked: “Did Conor McGregor assault Nikita Hand?”

The judge said if they answered no to this question, then that is the end of the case against Mr McGregor.

But if they answered yes, they would then go on to consider damages.

Ms Hand has sued both Mr McGregor and Mr Lawrence, alleging the pair “brutally raped and battered” her in a hotel penthouse six years ago.

The mum-of-one, from Drimnagh in Dublin, claimed they both raped her in the Beacon Hotel, Dublin, on December 9, 2018, during a cocaine and alcohol-fuelled afterparty.

CONSENSUAL CLAIM

Both denied her allegation, and claimed the sex was consensual.

Before the jury were sent out to begin considering its decision, Justice Owens yesterday finished summarising Mr McGregor’s evidence.

Mr McGregor described Ms Hand’s allegation that he raped her as “lies”.

McGregor told the court the sex was “enthusiastic and athletic”.

The cage fighter was shown photos of bruises on the complainant’s body taken in the days after the alleged assault.

Under cross-examination by Ms Hand’s barrister John Gordon, Mr McGregor denied causing the bruises, saying they “possibly came from her diving into the bath”.

But Mr Gordon drew the jury’s attention to the medical evidence about the severity of Ms Hand’s bruises.

And 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 Mr 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 Mr McGregor.”