Ex-Man City star weeps as he’s cleared of rape
FORMER Manchester City star Benjamin Mendy broke down in tears yesterday as he was cleared of a string of sex attacks in his £4.7million home.
The French international defender, once valued at £52million, was found not guilty of two outstanding charges at a Chester Crown Court retrial.
The jury’s verdict means the World Cup winner has been cleared of all allegations of rape and sexual assault of young women who went to parties at the mansion in Prestbury, Cheshire.
The footballer’s contract at the treble-winning Premier League champions expired on July 1.
Having phoned his family with the result, practising Muslim Mr Mendy prayed in a side room and left the court building after his solicitor Jenny Wiltshire read a statement.
She 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.
Impact
“This is the second time that Mr Mendy has been tried and found not guilty. He is delighted that both juries reached the correct verdicts. It has been almost three years since the police started investigating.
“The process has, inevitably, had a serious impact. He thanks everyone who has supported him throughout this ordeal and now asks for privacy so he can begin rebuilding his life.”
As Mr Mendy, 28, walked away he said only: “Praise be to God.”
He was initially cleared of seven rape charges and one sexual assault but jurors could not decide on an eighth rape charge and a count of attempted rape, triggering the retrial.
Yesterday’s jury took three hours to decide they did not agree with the two women’s claims. Hearing the verdicts, Mr Mendy slumped in relief and said “thank you” as Judge Steven Everett said: “Mr Mendy can be discharged.”
The trials heard that Mr Mendy said all his encounters were consensual.