New arrest in football rape case

POLICE investigating Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy have arrested a second man.

The 40-year-old was held last week on suspicion of rape and bailed pending further inquiries.

Mendy, 27, has been remanded in custody after he was charged with four counts of rape and a sexual assault in relation to three women aged over 16.

He appeared at Chester magistrates’ court on Friday accused of carrying out the offences at his £5million home, including one rape last week while he was on police bail for the other offences. The court heard one alleged victim is aged under 18.

Judge Jack McGarva denied an application for bail for Mendy, whose lawyer said he ‘strenuously denied’ the allegations.

Mendy’s case has been sent for trial at Chester Crown Court on September 10.

In a statement, Cheshire Police said: ‘We have arrested a second man in connection to an ongoing investigation. The man was arrested on suspicion of rape and has been conditionally bailed.’