Benjamin Mendy trial: Manchester City footballer found NOT GUILTY of six counts of rape

Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy has been found not guilty on six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

However, jurors were unable to reach verdicts on one count of rape and one of attempted rape, with a retrial set for June 26.

The jury retired to consider the outcome of the case 14 days ago.

The unanimous verdicts were delivered on Wednesday by the seven men and four women on the jury, one juror having been discharged earlier for medical reasons.

The allegations related to parties which took place at the 28-year-old's Cheshire mansion in Mottram St Andrew, near Prestbury.

He was accused of being a "predator" who used his celebrity status to lure in young women before inviting them to "after-parties" at his home.

Timothy Cray KC, prosecuting, said the footballer, a man with money, power and privilege, thought about what was "in his pants" and that was why he got it "terribly wrong" in believing women were consenting to sex.

Mendy was first arrested in November 2020
David Rawcliffe

Eleanor Laws KC, defending Mendy, suggested "regret" at having "quick, animalistic sex" is not the same as being raped.

The French national team player was on trial alongside Louis Saha Matturie, 41, who was alleged to be his "fixer". He was found not guilty by the jury of three counts of rape relating to two teenagers.

Mendy was first arrested in November 2020 and was suspended by his Premier League club in August 2021.

In a statement released today, his club said: “Manchester City FC notes the verdict from Chester Crown Court today where a jury has found Benjamin Mendy not guilty of seven charges.

“The jury is hung on two charges and the trial is now over.

“Given there are open matters related to this case, the club is not in a position to comment further at this time.”