Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has been acquitted of charges related to rape and attempted rape after a three-week trial at Chester Crown Court.
The 28-year-old was accused of attacking a 24-year-old woman and attempting to rape another woman, aged 29, at his mansion in Cheshire in October 2020. This follows Mendy’s earlier trial in January where he was cleared of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving four young women or teenagers.
As the not guilty verdicts were read out by the jury foreman, Mendy, a France international, broke down in tears.
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The jury, comprising six men and six women, deliberated for approximately three hours and 15 minutes before reaching their conclusion. Judge Steven Everett announced, “Mr Mendy can be discharged from the dock.”
Mendy’s contract with Manchester City expired earlier this month, coinciding with the conclusion of the trial. He had previously faced charges related to six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, but was acquitted in the earlier trial. However, the jury was unable to reach verdicts on two counts of rape and attempted rape, leading to a re-trial.
The outcome of the trial has brought an end to the legal proceedings against Mendy, who can now move forward following the acquittal.
