Australian racing driver Joey Mawson appeared before a court in Nyon, Switzerland on Tuesday to face accusations of sexually assaulting a nurse who provided medical care for Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher.
The alleged incident took place at Schumacher's mansion in Gland, near Geneva, where Mawson is accused of assaulting the woman twice in a bedroom.
Mawson has strenuously denied the allegations, maintaining that any sexual contact between them was consensual.
The nurse, who was part of the medical team looking after the seven-time world champion, claims she awoke in pain on blood-stained bedsheets following the alleged assault.
Australian racing driver Joey Mawson appeared before a court in Nyon, Switzerland on Tuesday to face accusations of sexually assaulting a nurse
|Schumacher has remained out of public view since suffering serious injuries in a skiing accident in 2013.
During her emotional testimony, the nurse broke down in tears as she recounted the circumstances of that evening.
She told the court: "That night I had been working six days non stop. I was very tired and I had had nothing to eat."
The court heard that she consumed alcohol during an evening spent with several members of Schumacher's staff, including Mawson.
According to evidence presented, the woman became so heavily intoxicated that she could not remain standing and had to be carried to her bedroom by colleagues whilst still fully dressed.
Upon regaining consciousness, she found herself unclothed with no recollection of what had occurred. Prosecutors allege the assault happened in that room.
A nurse who provides medical care for Michael Schumacher was allegedly sexually assaulted
| GETTYThe nurse testified that she had to ask other household staff what had transpired that night.
In his defence, Mawson told the court that the nurse had been alert and behaving flirtatiously throughout the evening.
He stated: "She was not intoxicated, she was alert and conscious, she was flirting and she managed to get her leg on the pool table. You could see from her body language she was being flirtatious. I knocked on her room and she invited me in."
The Australian driver explained he remained in her accommodation overnight because he "didn't want the employees to know about the intimate moment we had together".
When confronted with the allegations, Mawson admitted sending an apologetic text message to the nurse.
Asked by trial judge Patricia Cornaz why he had done so, he responded: "Because I was overwhelmed by the accusations against me. It was the gentlemanly thing to do but I had done nothing wrong."
Prosecutor Xavier Christe used his closing argument to highlight discrepancies between Mawson's courtroom testimony and statements he had previously given to investigators.
The prosecutor also drew attention to contradictions regarding contraception, noting that Mawson initially claimed condoms were used before later stating no protection had been employed.
Mawson maintains a close friendship with Mick Schumacher, 26, and has competed in Formula 1 with Haas whilst also serving as Mercedes' reserve driver. He frequently stayed with the Schumacher family between races to avoid lengthy journeys back to Australia.
The court was informed that no members of the Schumacher family are connected to the allegations. According to the indictment, none were present when the events allegedly occurred, and no family members appeared on the witness list at Nyon District Court.