Conor McGregor has been found liable by a civil jury for sexual assault in a case stemming from an incident on December 9, 2018.
A civil jury in Ireland has concluded that Conor McGregor committed sexual assault, awarding the victim over $250,000 in damages, Breitbart reported.
The case involves allegations from a woman who claimed that McGregor assaulted her in a non-consensual manner, a claim he has consistently denied. The jury, comprising eight women and four men, deliberated for six hours to reach their verdict.
During her testimony, the plaintiff recounted a distressing episode where McGregor allegedly choked her and threatened her life while referencing his own vulnerabilities exposed in a recent UFC match. She expressed her confusion and fear, regretfully reassuring McGregor in an attempt to prevent further harm.
The woman said she felt coerced to submit after being threatened, leading to a sexual encounter she did not consent to.
Conor McGregor acknowledged the sexual act but contested all allegations of assault. He insisted the encounter was consensual, disavowing any claims of violent behavior or that he ignored her pleas to stop.
Despite the serious nature of the allegations, the police did not press charges against McGregor, citing insufficient evidence to proceed with a criminal case. This factor played a significant role in the case proceeding to a civil trial.
Throughout the trial, McGregor's stance remained that the interaction was consensual, vigorously denying that he raped or attempted to rape the accuser.
Legal representatives for both sides presented their arguments passionately. McGregor's attorney, Remy Farrell, candidly addressed the jury, acknowledging the potential for preconceived notions against McGregor due to his public persona.
John Gordon, representing the accuser, described McGregor as a "belligerent fighter," painting him unfavorably in an effort to underscore the nature of the claims against him.
In a statement that paralleled her experience to a defeat in the sports arena, the woman remarked on her vulnerability:
Now you know how I felt in the octagon where I tapped out three times. He let me go, and I remember saying I was sorry, as I felt that I did something wrong, and I wanted to reassure him that I wouldn’t tell anyone so he wouldn’t hurt me again.
McGregor's rebuttal to the allegations of assault, particularly the claim that he choked the woman, was staunch. He labeled these accusations as complete fabrications.
Remy Farrell, echoed his client's denials but strived to remind the jury to focus solely on the evidence:
You may have an active dislike of him, some of you may even loathe him – there is no point pretending that the situation might be otherwise. I’m not asking you to invite him to Sunday brunch.
The trial, which captured public and media attention, concluded with the jury siding with the plaintiff, determining McGregor's liability in the assault claims and awarding significant damages.
As the legal proceedings draw to a close, the outcome marks a significant chapter in McGregor's off-the-arena controversies, reflecting a civil court's acknowledgment of the allegations despite the absence of criminal charges.
