Benjamin Mendy has been found not guilty of rape following a two-week trial at Chester Crown Court.
The former Manchester City and France footballer was accused of raping one woman in October of 2020 and of attempting to rape a second woman in 2018. He has been cleared of both charges against him.
The World Cup winner wept in the dock as he was unanimously acquitted. After becoming emotional as the verdicts were announced, he was released from the dock.
Mendy, 28, pleaded not guilty to both charges, and after jurors were sent out to deliberate their verdicts at 10.45am on Friday (July 14), they came back with the verdict around 3pm the same day.
Mendy said that any sexual contact between himself and the two women was consensual.
Following his acquittal, a statement released on his behalf by Jenny Wiltshire, head of serious and general crime at Hickman & Rose, said: “Benjamin Mendy would like to thank the members of the jury for focusing on the evidence in this trial, rather than on the rumour and innuendo that have followed this case from the outset.
“This is the second time that Mr Mendy has been tried and found not guilty by a jury. He is delighted that both juries reached the correct verdicts.
“It has been almost three years since the police started investigating this matter. Mr Mendy has tried to remain strong but the process has, inevitably had a serious impact on him.
“He thanks everyone who has supported him throughout this ordeal and now asks for privacy so he can begin rebuilding his life.”
About Mendy’s Football career
Mendy came through the youth academy at Le Havre before joining Marseille and then Monaco, with whom he won Ligue 1.
The defender joined City in the summer of 2017 from Monaco for a fee of around £52million, making 75 appearances and winning three Premier League titles.
He left the club at the end of June following the expiration of his contract, having been suspended by the club since August of 2021. Mendy made 10 appearances for France between 2017 and 2019, winning the World Cup in Russia under the guidance of Didier Deschamps.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this page do not necessarily characterize the views or policy of LamarBlogspot.
