Former Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy has been acquitted of charges relating to the alleged rape of a young woman and attempted rape of another. The jury foreman delivered the verdicts at Chester Crown Court, leading the 28-year-old to break down in tears. Mendy had anxiously awaited news of his acquittal, but when the moment arrived, he slumped in his seat, burying his face in his knees while using a white tissue to wipe away tears.
The ex-Manchester City player, whose contract with the Premier League champions recently expired, was cleared of attempting to rape a 29-year-old woman at his opulent £4 million mansion in Mottram St Andrew, Cheshire, back in October 2018. Furthermore, he was also found not guilty of raping a second woman, aged 24, at his residence two years later.
According to court testimony, Mendy allegedly informed the second woman that he had engaged in sexual encounters with 10,000 women. However, the jury deliberated for approximately three hours and 15 minutes before reaching their verdicts.
In response to the jury’s decision, Judge Steven Everett declared, “Mr Mendy can be discharged from the dock,” signaling the conclusion of the trial. It is worth noting that this trial was a retrial, as Mendy had previously been acquitted by a jury earlier in the year regarding six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving four young women or teenagers. However, the previous jury was unable to reach a verdict on the two counts of rape and attempted rape, leading to the retrial.
Following the verdict, Mendy’s attorney, Jenny Wiltshire, head of serious and general crime at Hickman & Rose, expressed gratitude to the jury for their focus on the evidence presented during the trial, rather than the rumors and speculation that had surrounded the case from the beginning. Wiltshire highlighted that this was the second time Mendy had faced trial and been acquitted by a jury, and he was relieved that both juries had arrived at the correct verdicts.
Mendy has endured a lengthy ordeal since the police initiated the investigation nearly three years ago. While he has endeavored to remain strong throughout the process, it has undeniably taken a toll on him. He expressed his gratitude to everyone who has supported him during this challenging period and requested privacy as he embarks on the task of rebuilding his life.