by David P. Greisman
A jury is deliberating in the case of Hasan Karkardi, a 3-0 cruiserweight who lives in the British city of Bristol and is accused of sexual assault and false imprisonment, according to the Bristol Post.
Karkardi, 26, allegedly led a drunk woman to a taxi in June 2013 and brought her back to his place.
There, he allegedly “stripped down to just his boxer shorts, tried to kiss her and pinned her down on his bed. He put his hand into her underwear before she pushed him away. She managed to go to another room and then the police arrived and led her out,” the report said, citing testimony. The taxi driver had felt concerned during the drive when the woman had told Karkardi that she didn’t want to go to his place, and so the driver had contacted police after dropping them off.
Karkardi claimed that the woman went there willingly and that he neither attempted to kiss her nor tried to prevent her from leaving, according to newspaper coverage. He had immigrated to the United Kingdom about half a year before the alleged assault and said he did not yet know enough English to understand the woman when she asked to be left alone.
He turned pro in September 2013, a few months after the alleged assault and has gone 3-0 with 1 KO, with the last win coming via stoppage this past July.
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