Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy acquitted of rape and attempted rape charges

Benjamin Mendy, the former Manchester City defender, has been found not guilty of charges pertaining to rape and attempted rape after a thorough three-week trial at Chester Crown Court.

The 28-year-old footballer had been accused of assaulting a 24-year-old woman and attempting to rape another woman, aged 29, at his residence in Cheshire back in October 2020.

This comes after Mendy’s previous trial in January, where he was cleared of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving four young women or teenagers.

Emotions ran high as Mendy, a French international, broke down in tears upon hearing the not guilty verdicts announced by the jury foreman.

The jury, composed of six men and six women, deliberated for approximately three hours and 15 minutes before reaching their unanimous conclusion.

Judge Steven Everett subsequently declared, “Mr Mendy can be discharged from the dock.”

Coinciding with the conclusion of the trial, Mendy’s contract with Manchester City had expired earlier this month.

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 had been unable to reach verdicts on two counts of rape and attempted rape, necessitating a re-trial.

With the legal proceedings now concluded and the not guilty verdict reached, Mendy can now move forward from this chapter in his life.

The outcome of the trial marks the end of the legal challenges against him, allowing him to focus on his future endeavors.

Benjamin Mendy responds to not guilty verdict 🎙 pic.twitter.com/juh9QrpLPT

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) July 14, 2023

SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh