Former Manchester City player Benjamin Mendy has been found not guilty of rape and attempted rape by a jury at Chester Crown Court.
The charges stemmed from allegations made by two women, one in 2020 and another in 2018, both of whom claimed to have been assaulted at Mendy’s home. Mendy had denied the charges and maintained that the encounters were consensual.
Earlier this year, Mendy had faced sexual offense charges involving multiple women, but the jury was unable to reach verdicts on those charges. However, at his retrial, the jury found him not guilty of the rape and attempted rape charges brought against him.
During the trial, prosecutors described how Mendy would host parties and social gatherings at his home while he was under contract at Manchester City.
Also, read; Ten Prison Guards in Northern Italy Charged with Torture of Tunisian Detainee
The court heard about the encounters involving a British student and a woman who was invited to Mendy’s house on separate occasions. Mendy claimed that both encounters were consensual and denied any use of force or coercion.
Following the verdict, Mendy’s solicitor, Jenny Wiltshire, issued a statement expressing gratitude to the jury for focusing on the evidence presented during the trial and disregarding rumors and innuendo surrounding the case.
Mendy himself was said to be pleased with the jury’s decision and relieved to be found not guilty for the second time.
Benjamin Mendy became the Premier League’s most expensive defender in 2017 when Manchester City acquired him from Monaco for £52 million.
He went on to win three Premier League titles with the club and was also part of France’s victorious World Cup squad in 2018. However, his contract with Manchester City expired at the end of June, and he has since been released by the club.
