Australian racing driver Joey Mawson is on trial for allegedly raping Michael Schumacher's nurse at the disabled former Formula One star's mansion in Switzerland. The court heard that the nurse woke up on blood-stained bed sheets after the alleged assault.
Allegations and Denial
Mawson, 30, is accused of raping the unconscious woman after a cocktail party at the Schumacher family home in Gland, Switzerland, in 2019. He strongly denies the allegations, claiming their relationship was close and consensual, and that they had previously shared a kiss at a Geneva nightclub. The nurse, however, denies any such close relationship.
Both Mawson and the alleged victim are currently attending the trial in Nyon, Switzerland. No member of the Schumacher family is present, and none are implicated in the case or were at the house during the alleged offence.
Background of the Accused
Mawson was once a rising star in the racing world, dreaming of Formula One before his form plateaued and he returned to Australia. He was a close friend and rival of Schumacher's son Mick and raced against future icons such as Lando Norris and George Russell. He is a double champion of the Australian S5000 series but is currently banned from racing due to a doping scandal.
Court Proceedings
A trial was scheduled for this week, and a one-and-a-half-page indictment was drawn up by the Public Prosecutor's Office of the District of La Côte. However, Mawson failed to appear in court in October, leading to the trial being formally opened in his absence and then adjourned to a future date. The alleged victim's lawyer described his absence as 'regrettable, cowardly,' while Mawson's lawyer defended it, citing Article 366 of the Swiss Code of Criminal Procedure, which allows for a one-time absence. The lawyer warned that the next absence would result in a conviction in absentia.
Switzerland has an extradition treaty with Australia, which could be relevant if Mawson fails to appear again.
Details of the Alleged Incident
According to court documents, on the night of November 23, 2019, Mawson was staying at the Schumacher mansion on the shores of Lake Geneva. He was playing pool with two other staff members when the alleged victim joined them after a tiring shift. The nurse began to feel unwell after a few drinks and needed to lie down on the floor before being taken to bed by colleagues. They laid her down without undressing her and left her asleep with the lights on.
Shortly after, Mawson allegedly returned to the room and raped her twice while she was unconscious. The other two medics present that evening reported seeing or hearing nothing, and the nurse herself woke up with no memory of the events. She decided not to pursue criminal charges or inform the Schumacher family until 2022, after she was reportedly fired from the medical team.
This story first appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission.
