After a three-week trial at Chester Crown Court, former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy was cleared of rape and attempted rape allegations.
The 28-year-old was charged with assaulting a 24-year-old woman and attempting to rape another woman, 29, at his Cheshire estate in October 2020. Mendy was exonerated of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving four young women or teens in his first trial in January.
Mendy, a France international, burst into tears as the jury foreman gave out the not-guilty findings.
The jury of six men and six women debated for almost three hours and fifteen minutes before making their decision. “Mr Mendy can be discharged from the dock,” Judge Steven Everett said.
Mendy’s contract with Manchester City terminated earlier this month, just before the trial ended. He had previously faced charges of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, but had been acquitted. The jury, however, was unable to reach convictions on two charges of rape and attempted rape, necessitating a retrial.
The trial’s conclusion has ended the legal processes against Mendy, who may now go forward following his acquittal.
