Courts / Cork / Report

'Every young woman's nightmare': karate champion jailed for 'degrading' public sexual assault

Date
2021-12-01

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Cork City

County
Cork

Summary

A 28‑year‑old European karate champion, Bagrat Kudzievi, was sentenced to six years in prison for two counts of sexual assault against 18‑year‑old Rachel McElroy on the night of 19 October 2019 in Cork city centre. The assaults took place outside a nightclub on a busy street. McElroy, who had consumed a small amount of alcohol, was taken by Kudzievi to a secluded location where he lifted and carried her across a bridge. CCTV footage captured the incident, and security staff intervened, arresting him. Kudzievi denied the charges and later claimed the activity was consensual. McElroy's victim impact statement described the attacks as degrading and left her feeling empty, disgusted and lacking confidence. The judge, Justice Tara Burns, noted the aggravating factors of the assault's public nature, the victim's intoxication and the degrading behaviour. Bagrat Kudzievi was convicted.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Every young woman's nightmare': karate champion jailed for 'degrading' public sexual assault. Charges or matters: fraud offences last June. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When: