David not so Goodwillie

[BlueinPLtwenty]

Been convicted of rape, Plymouth Argyle have suspended him!

[Locky_McLockface]

Yeah, no they haven't, the two players have been sued in a civil case, and the judge has found that, on the balance of probabilities, they did it, and therefore awarded damages of £100,000 against them.

They have not been convicted, against all reasonable doubt, of an offence in a criminal court.

A bit like OJ was found not guilty in criminal court, but found to be liable in the civil court. And by "a bit like", I mean "exactly the same as".

[BlueinPLtwenty]

A former Scotland international footballer David Goodwillie and his ex-teammate have been RULED to be rapists and ordered to pay £100,000 damages despite never facing a criminal trial. (quote)

The Judge in a Civil Court has ruled that they are Rapists. Therefore unless there is a successful appeal, they are Rapists!

[Locky_McLockface]

You stated that Mr Goodwillie has been convicted of rape. I'll say it again. No, he hasn't.

A civil court is not the same as a criminal court. In a civil court, there is no prosecution, only a plaintiff (ie someone who is complaining). In a civil court, as I said before, the plaintiff has to demonstrate their case is true, on the balance of probability. In a criminal court, the prosecution has to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt, in order that the defendant is convicted.

The judge has, indirectly, said that Mr Goodwillie is probably a rapist, but not definitely.

[BlueinPLtwenty]

Whatever!

[Lost in Transportation]

Whatever!

Then you won't mind me forwarding this on to Mr Goodwillie's lawyers?

[Locky_McLockface]

Whatever!

Then you won't mind me forwarding this on to Mr Goodwillie's lawyers?

I wouldn't do that, as His Rubiness, as owner of the forum, is also liable for the libel.

[Lost in Transportation]

Whatever!

Then you won't mind me forwarding this on to Mr Goodwillie's lawyers?

I wouldn't do that, as His Rubiness, as owner of the forum, is also liable for the libel.

That is true. This is an open site though - anybody trawling a word search could see PL20's libel.

The question of reputation damage is an open one but he isn't a rapist because he has no conviction for rape.

[BlueinPLtwenty]

Has left Plymouth by "mutual consent", no pun intended.

[Pompey Dave]

Has left Plymouth by "mutual consent", no pun intended.

Strange really given they are happy to employ a keeper who killed two children drink driving.