Taylor Swift assault case: Judge throws out DJ's lawsuit

Reuters Taylor Swift performs "Out of the Woods" at the 58th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, U.S. on 15 February, 2016.

Pop star Taylor Swift has won a key victory in her court battle with ex-radio DJ David Mueller, who she claims groped her at a 2013 concert.

Mr Mueller, 55, originally sued the pop star for $3m (£2.3m), saying she cost him his job.

His claim was dismissed on Friday in a Denver court.

US District Judge William Martinez ruled that Ms Swift was not liable, as Mr Mueller had not proved she set out to get him fired.

The DJ made the same claims against the singer's mother Andrea Swift, and her radio liaison, Frank Bell. A jury will now decide if they are accountable for Mr Mueller's sacking.

Ms Swift, 27, has countersued the DJ for allegedly groping her after she agreed to pose for a photo with him and his girlfriend.

She is seeking a symbolic $1 in damages, which she has pledged to donate to charity.

The ruling against Mr Mueller came on the fifth day of the trial.

The singer's ex bodyguard has testified at the trial, backing her assault claims

Getty Images A sign is placed outside the civil case for Taylor Swift vs David Mueller at the Alfred A. Arraj Courthouse on August 10, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. — The singer's ex bodyguard has testified at the trial, backing her assault claims

Ms Swift's ex-bodyguard gave evidence on Friday, backing her sex assault claims by testifying that he saw the DJ reach under her skirt.

Greg Dent told the Colorado court he "did not see his hand touch her physically", but "saw his hand under her skirt".

The alleged assault is said to have occurred in 2013 during a Denver stopover on the singer's Red tour.

Mr Mueller, then a host on the radio station KYGO, had been invited to meet her before the show.

Ms Swift complained to KYGO and the station fired Mr Mueller two days later.

Mr Dent, who no longer works for Ms Swift, told the court he was steps away when Mr Mueller posed with his girlfriend and the pop star.

"She reacted, pushed her skirt down and moved over closer to [Mr Mueller's girlfriend]. So in my opinion, I knew he touched her," he said.

Taylor Swift (left) has been present throughout the trial, often accompanied by her mother Andrea (second right)

Reuters / Jeff Kandyba Taylor Swift in court — Taylor Swift (left) has been present throughout the trial, often accompanied by her mother Andrea (second right)

Mr Dent explained he did not act because "he didn't sense danger after he touched her", and Ms Swift did not signal that he should intervene.

The Shake It Off and I Knew You Were Trouble singer, however, later complained and Mr Dent confronted Mr Mueller at the event.

His testimony came a day after Ms Swift took the stand to describe the incident, calling it a "definite grab. A very long grab."

When Mr Mueller's lawyer, Gabriel McFarland, asked why her bodyguard did not interfere when the alleged incident happened, the pop star said: "No-one could have expected this to happen.

"It had never happened before. It was horrifying and shocking."

A message with Taylor Swift's lyrics has appeared across the street from the courthouse

Getty Images A message with Taylor Swift"s lyrics is displayed across the street from the Alfred A. Arraj Courthouse during the civil case for Taylor Swift vs David Mueller on August 10, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. — A message with Taylor Swift's lyrics has appeared across the street from the courthouse

Mr Mueller's ex-girlfriend who was also in the photo, Shannon Melcher, also testified on Friday.

She said she noticed nothing amiss during the brief meeting and that she and Mr Mueller were rudely escorted out of the arena later that evening.

Ms Melcher added that Mr Mueller was devastated by the allegations.

Mr Mueller's former radio show co-host, Ryan Kliesch, testified that he did not know his former colleague to be disrespectful toward women.

He added when he heard the allegations, he "thought it was a joke".