The former super-welterweight champion hugged family members as he walked free from the dock
Preston boxing champion Scott Fitzgerald has been cleared of rape today following a trial at Preston Crown Court.
A jury took just an hour to unanimously find the former British super-welterweight champion not guilty. During the trial the jury heard how he visited the house in Ashton-on-Ribble in the early hours of April 10, 2020. After drinking and taking cocaine he was left alone in the kitchen with the woman, while her children were upstairs in bed. Speaking from the witness box, Mr Fitzgerald said the woman was "making moves" on him in the kitchen.He then followed her to the bathroom, where they had consensual sex, he said. He was arrested the same day and told the police the sex stopped as soon as she muttered 'stop'.
Afterwards, he said he checked if she was okay and offered her a glass of water, which she refused. The jury was told they must be sure, beyond reasonable doubt, that the woman's account was true to find the boxer guilty of rape. If they were not sure, he must be acquitted. As the foreman delivered the verdict, Mr Fitzgerald mouthed 'thank you' to the panel of 12. He hugged his family as he walked free from the dock.
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