Ex-Wolves & Forest striker Mir gets eight-year sentence for sexual assault

Rafael Mir, a former striker for Wolves and Nottingham Forest, has been sentenced to eight and a half years in prison after being convicted of sexual assault.

The 28-year-old and his friend Pablo Jara were taken into custody in September 2024 following accusations from two women of sexual assault at Mir's home.

At the time, Mir's lawyer stated the intercourse was consensual and that Mir firmly denied the allegations.

A Valencia court announced on Monday that Mir "sexually assaulted one of the women in the swimming pool and in a bathroom" at his residence in Betera, after he and Jara met the women at a nightclub in Valencia.

Mir was on loan at Valencia from Sevilla when he was arrested.

The former Spain Under-23 striker received a seven-year sentence for sexual assault and an additional one year and six months for assault causing bodily harm.

Mir, who was also ordered to pay €64,000 (£55,000) in compensation to the victim, has the right to appeal the ruling.

"I disagree with the ruling and we will appeal in the coming days. I continue to have faith in the justice system," Mir posted on Instagram on Monday.

Mir transferred to Wolves from Valencia in 2018, but made just four appearances for the club.

He moved to Sevilla in 2021 after loan spells at Nottingham Forest, Las Palmas, and Huesca during his time with Wolves, and was also part of Spain's squad at the Tokyo Olympics.

The forward currently plays for La Liga side Elche, on loan from Sevilla.

In response to Mir's sentence, Sevilla expressed its "utmost respect for judicial proceedings and expresses our firm and unequivocal condemnation of any type of violence, abuse, or sexual assault".

"Such conduct has no place in our society or in the values promoted by sport," the club's statement added.

Jara received a two-year sentence for sexual assault against a second victim and a further six months for an offence against moral integrity, along with an order to pay a €6,280 (£5,400) fine.