The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Goodwillie says he may appeal rape case ruling
Former Dundee United player ‘struggling to understand’ after judge concludes woman was raped and orders pair to pay £100,000 damages
Former Dundee United star David Goodwillie says he may appeal the “devastating” judgment that ruled he and a former team-mate raped a 24-year-old woman.
Goodwillie and David Robertson never faced a criminal trial over claims they raped Denise Claire in 2011, but she raised a civil case at the Court of Session.
On Tuesday, Judge Lord Armstrong ruled they had raped her and ordered the two men to pay her £100,000 in damages.
Goodwillie, who now plays for Plymouth Argyle, released a statement yesterday in which he said he had been “devastated” by the verdict and is considering an appeal.
He said: “I have spent the last six years and every penny I have fighting the allegations against me.
“I hoped that the opinion of Lord Armstrong would allow me finally to draw a line under this and move on with my life. “I am devastated by his opinion. “Over two days in the witness box I spoke honestly and truthfully and gave a detailed account (including under crossexamination) about everything that happened on the evening of January 1 and early morning of January 2 2011.
“I am struggling to understand why the judge has discounted my evidence and all of the other evidence of those who have said what they saw or heard that morning.
“I am currently taking advice on what options are open to me regarding lodging an appeal.”
Goodwillie added: “As a 21-year-old I acted immaturely, naively and probably not as respectfully or with the same consideration towards someone I was with as I could have, and if that was the case I apologise for that.”
Ms Clair, who is now 30, has said she was “pleased” by Tuesday’s verdict but disappointed the case had not gone to a criminal trial.
Robertson, who is on the books of Cowdenbeath, has not commented.