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Conor McGregor to Appeal After Civil Jury Finds Him Guilty of Assaulting Nikita Hand

Conor McGregor to Appeal After Civil Jury Finds Him Guilty of Assaulting Nikita Hand

A civil court jury in Dublin has found mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor guilty of sexually assaulting Nikita Hand. The verdict was delivered following eight days of evidence and over six hours of jury deliberation.

Jury Awards Damages to Nikita Hand

The jury ordered McGregor to pay €248,603.60 ($398,380.86 AUD) in damages to Ms Hand. The assault occurred in a Dublin hotel room after a Christmas party in December 2018.

Ms Hand accused McGregor of “brutally raping and battering” her at the Beacon Hotel. She also sued James Lawrence, who was accused of non-consensual sex during the same incident. The jury, however, found Lawrence not guilty of assaulting her.

Figure 1: McGregor (right) was convicted of sexually assaulting Nikita Hand (left).

McGregor Denies Allegations and Plans to Appeal

Conor McGregor denied the allegations, insisting the sexual encounter with Ms Hand was consensual. He labelled her claims as “lies” during his testimony.

After the verdict, McGregor announced his decision to appeal. On social media platform X, he said:

“I will be appealing today’s decision. The judge’s instruction and the modest award given was for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages.”

“I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence that the DPP reviewed. I am with my family now, focused on my future. Thank you to all my support worldwide.”

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Nikita Hand Reacts to Verdict

Speaking outside the court, Nikita Hand said the decision proved justice could be served. She said:

“I want to show [my daughter] Freya and every other young girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is, and that justice will be served.”

Hand described the support she received as “overwhelming and touching.”

Courtroom Testimonies and Evidence

Ms Hand told the court how McGregor pinned her to a bed before assaulting her. She described extensive bruises on her hands, wrists, and other parts of her body.

Under cross-examination, McGregor denied causing the bruises, claiming they might have occurred when Ms Hand “swan dived” into a bath.

The jury also heard medical evidence. Ms Hand’s barrister, John Gordon, highlighted that a tampon had to be forcefully removed from her body in hospital. He accused McGregor of lacking the courage to admit his actions.

Gordon told the jury:

“The liar here is Mr McGregor who doesn’t have the courage or the decency to own up to what he did.”

Impact on Nikita Hand’s Life

The incident has profoundly impacted Ms Hand’s life. She had to leave her job as a hairdresser due to mental health issues. Her relationship with her partner ended, and she was forced to move out of her home in Drimnagh.

Ms Hand’s mortgage fell into arrears, and she could no longer afford counselling. The court heard that she spent over €4,000 on GP, pharmacy, and therapy costs.

McGregor’s Family in Courtroom

Conor McGregor attended court with his wife, Dee Devlin, and other family members, including his parents and siblings. He sat between his mother and wife during proceedings.

The jury, comprising eight women and four men, deliberated for six hours before reaching their verdict. McGregor shook his head when the jury announced their decision against him.

A High-Profile Case

The case has drawn significant attention due to Conor McGregor’s global fame. The 36-year-old is one of Ireland’s most prominent sports stars and a major figure in mixed martial arts.

Support Services Available

For those impacted by sexual assault or family violence, support is available through various organisations, including:

  • 1800 RESPECT (National Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Counselling Service): 1800 737 732
  • Lifeline: 13 11 14
  • Safe at Home Helpline: 1800 633 937

The outcome of Conor McGregor’s appeal remains uncertain, but the case has highlighted the importance of standing up for justice.

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