Shocking Verdict: Benjamin Mendy Acquitted of Rape Charges, Full Trial Details Inside!

Benjamin Mendy has been acquitted of charges of rape and attempted rape by a jury at Chester Crown Court. The former Manchester City footballer was accused of sexually assaulting a 24-year-old woman in a bedroom at his residence in Cheshire in October 2020.

In addition, he faced charges for the alleged attempted rape of a 29-year-old woman in his residence two years prior.

Mendy, who had denied both allegations, was acquitted by the twelve-person jury comprising six men and six women at Chester Crown Court. He maintained that the encounters had been consensual.

Earlier this year, the footballer was acquitted of sexual offences against multiple women. However, the jury was unable to reach a verdict on the two charges.

During his retrial, prosecutors contended that while under contract at Manchester City, Mendy frequently organized parties and social events at his residence, The Spinney.

In 2017, Mendy encountered a British student at a nightclub in Barcelona. They developed a close relationship with a mutual friend of Mendy's and made plans to visit him at the footballer's residence the next year. Following a night out, she claimed that Mendy attempted to sexually assault her.

"I approached the woman and inquired about the possibility of engaging in a sexual encounter. She responded negatively, citing concerns about my friend. In an attempt to reassure her, I mentioned that my friend had no objections and was comfortable with the proposition. However, her mood quickly changed as she became upset and distressed. Consequently, I decided to leave the room."

After a span of two years, a woman found herself in the company of friends at a bar situated close to Mendy's residence. Subsequently, they received an invitation to visit the footballer's house.

Mendy was accused of forcibly taking her phone and escorting her to a secured bedroom. After tossing the phone onto a bed, Mendy allegedly proceeded to sexually assault her while she attempted to retrieve it. In his testimony, Mendy claimed that the two engaged in consensual sexual activity and later exchanged contact information on Snapchat.

He was asked whether he had held her down or forced her onto the bed. He said: "No."

He told the jury: "I will never force to have sex with a woman."

Mendy became the Premier League's most expensive defender when City paid £52m to Monaco for him in 2017.

He won three titles with City and was part of France's World Cup-winning squad in 2018.

When his contract expired at the end of June, the club decided to release him. Following his departure from court, Mendy's solicitor expressed gratitude to the jury for their attention to the trial's evidence instead of the persistent rumors and speculation surrounding the case.

"This is the second time Mr Mendy has been tried and found not guilty by the jury. He is delighted that both jurors reached the correct verdict."