Renowned Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy is currently on trial at Chester Crown Court, facing allegations of rape and attempted rape. The 28-year-old stands accused of assaulting a 24-year-old woman at his luxurious £4 million mansion in Mottram St Andrew, Cheshire, in October 2020. Additionally, he is charged with the attempted rape of another woman, aged 29 at the time, whom he allegedly attacked at his residence two years prior. Mendy firmly denies both charges brought against him.
The trial, presided over by Judge Stephen Everett, the Recorder of Chester, features a jury comprising six women and six men. The judge informed the jurors that Mendy had previously been acquitted of sexual offenses involving other women during a trial that concluded in January of this year. However, the jury in that trial was unable to reach a verdict on the current charges of rape and attempted rape, necessitating a retrial.
Judge Everett cautioned the jurors against seeking information about the previous trial or engaging with media coverage. He emphasized the importance of basing their decision solely on the evidence presented in the current proceedings.
During the opening of the trial, Benjamin Aina KC, the prosecutor, outlined the prosecution’s case. Aina highlighted that Mendy, a footballer contracted to Manchester City FC, frequently hosted social gatherings and parties at his residence, The Spinney, in Mottram St Andrew, where both male and female guests were in attendance. The prosecution alleges that on two separate occasions, Mendy exploited two female guests.
The first incident involved a UK student, referred to as woman A, whom Mendy had met at a nightclub in Barcelona in late 2017. Over time, they maintained contact, and a year later, she arranged to visit Mendy’s friend at the footballer’s house, where they all stayed after a night out with other individuals. The morning after, while woman A was showering in the ensuite bathroom, Mendy allegedly entered the room uninvited, wearing only boxer shorts and displaying signs of arousal. It is claimed that Mendy then attempted to rape her on the bed as she struggled to free herself, despite her explicit pleas for him to stop.
The second incident involved woman B, who, along with her friends, was invited to Mendy’s residence after a night at a bar near his home in Alderley Edge, Cheshire. Woman B asserts that Mendy took her phone, which contained “intimate” photos, and led her to his locked bedroom when she requested its return. Aina explained that Mendy allegedly stated, “I just wanna have a look at you,” and instructed her to undress. Although woman B complied, leaving her underwear on, Mendy reportedly threw her phone onto the bed. As she approached to retrieve it, Mendy allegedly grabbed her from behind and raped her, despite her explicit refusal to engage in sexual activity. At this point, Mendy purportedly took a step back and callously remarked, “You’re too shy. It’s fine. I’ve had sex with 10,000 women.”
Mendy maintains that any sexual contact that occurred was consensual and vehemently denies any wrongdoing. The trial is ongoing.
