Benjamin Mendy not responsible of rape and tried rape following retrial
F
ormer Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy has been discovered not responsible of raping a younger girl and the tried rape of one other.
The 28-year-old broke down in tears because the verdicts got by the jury foreman following a three-week trial at Chester Crown Court.
He had stood for news of acquittal however sank to his seat, his head on his knees, wiping away tears with a white tissue.
Mendy, whose contract with the Premier League champions ended on July 1, was cleared of trying to rape a girl, aged 29 on the time, at his £4 million mansion in Mottram St Andrew, Cheshire in October 2018.
He was additionally discovered not responsible of the rape of a second girl, aged 24, two years later additionally at his residence deal with.
The French worldwide footballer is alleged to have later instructed her “it’s fine, I’ve had sex with 10,000 women”, the court docket heard.
The jury of six males and 6 ladies had been out for round three hours and quarter-hour earlier than returning their verdicts.
Judge Steven Everett responded: “Mr Mendy can be discharged from the dock.”
Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy outdoors Chester Crown Court
/ Peter Powell/PA WireHis trial was a re-trial, having been cleared by a jury earlier this yr of six counts of rape and one rely of sexual assault, referring to 4 younger ladies or youngsters, following a six-month trial.
Jurors failed to succeed in verdicts on the 2 counts of rape and tried rape he was re-tried with.
His lawyer Jenny Wiltshire, head of significant and normal crime at Hickman & Rose, mentioned: “Benjamin Mendy would like to thank the members of the jury for focussing on the evidence in this trial, rather than on the rumour and innuendo that have followed this case from the outset.
Manchester City’s Benjamin Mendy celebrates scoring in 2021 (PA)
/ PA Archive“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.”