Conor McGregor accuser speaks out after winning civil rape case | UFC | Sport

Conor McGregor’s accuser Nikita Hand has spoken out after wininng her civil case in court against the MMA star on Friday.

The Irishman has been ordered to pay damages worth over £200,000 after he was found to have assaulted Ms Hand following a civil case at Dublin High Court.

The MMA fighter and his associate James Lawrence were sued over an alleged sexual assault that was said to have occurred after a night out in December 2018.

McGregor and Lawrence denied all accusations during the case, which was heard after the director of public prosecution in Ireland chose not to pursue criminal charges.

The verdict was announced on Friday after a jury of eight men and four women sat through eight days of evidence.

While McGregor was found to have assaulted her after the jury’s six hours of deliberations, they did not reach the same judgement on Lawrence.

Walking out of court on Friday, Ms Hand read out a statement which said: “I am overwhelmed by the support I have received from everybody.

“I want to thank my legal team and my three barristers, they have been amazing from start to finish. I want to thank the justice, the jury and all the witnesses.

“I want to thank the doctors, nurses and everyone at the sexual assault unit at the Rotunda assault unit, especially my own doctor. I want to thank the rape advice centre, I want to thank all the guards and the ambulance crew.

“I want to thank the men and woman who have supported me throughout this trial. For every person who reached out to me, a card, email, everything, it has not gone unnoticed. Thank you I really appreciate it so much.”

Hand also paid tribute to her family for guiding her through the journey after her four-year legal battle came to an end.

“I want to thank my partner who has been so supportive for the last four years and has held my hand throughout this trial every day. I want to thank my mum and all my family and friends. I want to thank my daughter who I am most grateful for,” she added.

“She has given me so much strength and courage over the last six years through this nightmare to keep pushing forward for justice. I want to show her 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.

“To all the victims of sexual assault, I hope my story is a reminder you have a voice and to keep on fighting for justice. I know this has impacted my life, my daughter’s, my family and friends’ tremendously and is something I will never forget for the rest of my life.

“But now that justice has been served I can now try and move on and look forward to the future wit my family, friends and daughter.”

McGregor, who was joined by his fiancee Dee Devlin for the verdict, left the court without providing a comment.