Court clears Benjamin Mendy of rape allegation

Benjamin Mendy, a former Manchester City player, has been found not guilty of raping one woman and trying to rape another.

The 28-year-old defender was charged with assaulting a 24-year-old lady in October 2020 at his £4 million property in Mottram St Andrew, Cheshire.

Another woman, aged 29, claimed Mendy previously assaulted her in his home two years before.

After a three-week trial at Chester Crown Court, the France international cried as the jury’s not-guilty findings were announced.

Before deciding, the jury of six men and six women pondered for almost three hours and fifteen minutes.

Judge Steven Everett said: “Mr Mendy can be discharged from the dock.”

In an earlier trial, the football player, whose contract with Manchester City expired this month, was found not guilty of six charges of rape and one count of sexual assault involving four underage girls or teens.