Former Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy has been acquitted of charges of rape and attempted rape. Mendy, 28, was visibly emotional as the jury foreman announced the not guilty verdicts after a three-week trial at Chester Crown Court. Mendy had been accused of attempting to rape a 29-year-old woman at his £4million mansion in Cheshire in October 2018 and raping a second woman, aged 24, at the same address two years later. The jury deliberated for approximately three hours and 15 minutes before reaching their verdicts. Judge Steven Everett discharged Mendy from the dock in light of the acquittals.
This is not the first time Mendy has faced such accusations. Earlier this year, he was also cleared of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault following a six-month trial. Mendy’s lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, expressed his joy over the recent verdicts and thanked everyone who supported him throughout the ordeal. Wiltshire also appealed for privacy, stating that Mendy needs to focus on rebuilding his life.
Reporters questioned Mendy outside the court about his future in football, but he declined to comment. Mendy’s contract with Premier League champions Manchester City ended on July 1, leaving his professional career in limbo. Only time will tell if he will seek to resume his football career following these legal battles.
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