Monday 14 March 2016

WBO European super-middleweight champion Jamie Cox attacked Viktoria Gribovskaja last July at her home in south London.
16:46, UK,Monday 14 March 2016
140316 Boxer Jamie Cox and his ex-girlfriend Viktoria Gribovskaja
Champion boxer Jamie Cox has been convicted of assaulting his ex-girlfriend after breaking into her flat.
The WBO European super-middleweight champion attacked Viktoria Gribovskaja last July after their relationship had broken down and he needed to collect his belongings. 
Cox said he had "barged" into her home in Lambeth, south London, because he feared she "could kill herself", something he claimed she had previously threatened to do. 
The 29-year-old denied assaulting her by placing his hands around her throat, leaving her with "redness". 
He also denied sending abusive text messages. 
Magistrates in Croydon, south London, found his evidence "not credible".  
In contrast, they found Ms Gribovskaja’s account "credible and convincing".
Cox, who appeared under his real name, Jamie Russan, was convicted of assault by beating, violence to secure entry, harassment and criminal damage.
Chair of the bench Mary Marshall said he had intended his text messages, one of which described Ms Gribovskaja as a "slut", to be "abusive and hurtful". 
In a 999 call made by Ms Gribovskaja, he was heard to say: "I will knock you spark out." 
His claim that he feared his ex-girlfriend might hurt herself was "inconsistent" with the messages he had sent her, Ms Marshall added. 
The couple had begun dating in 2014 after Cox, from Swindon, had met Ms Gribovskaja when she was working as an exotic dancer at a London club.  
He had visited her family in Estonia, saying: "I wanted to give her a better life - I loved the girl and wanted her to move to Swindon." 
But they had "ups and downs". 
While giving evidence, Cox said his career "would be very much in tatters if not over" were he found guilty. 
The court heard he was due to compete for a world title and a conviction could result in his licence being suspended. 
"Everything he is going to be - a champion of the world, making his country proud - rests on your decision today," said Nathaniel Ikeazor, defending.
Speaking later outside court, Mr Ikeazor said: "My client intends to appeal this at the first available opportunity.
"I am personally shocked and appalled by the court's decision."
Cox will be sentenced next month.

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