Ex-Man City player Benjamin Mendy has been found not guilty of rape and attempted rape, it was confirmed on Friday afternoon.
The France international appeared in court after being accused of raping a 24-year-old woman in a bedroom at his multi-million-pound property in Cheshire back in October 2020.
He was also charged with the attempted rape of a 29-year-old woman at his home two years prior.
Benjamin Mendy has been found not guilty of rape and attempted rape by a jury at Chester Crown Court.
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— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 14, 2023
Benjamin Mendy responds to not guilty verdict 🎙 pic.twitter.com/juh9QrpLPT
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) July 14, 2023
Mendy, who denied both charges, was found not guilty by the jury consisting of six men and six women this week and always maintained the fact that all his encounters had been consensual.
Earlier in 2023, he was also found not guilty of sexual offences against a number of women, however the jury couldn’t reach verdicts on the two charges.
At his retrial, prosecutors say that Mendy would host parties and social gatherings at his home The Spinney while he had been playing for Manchester City.
The court was told that he had met a British student out in a nightclub in Barcelona in 2017.
She got close with Mendy’s pal, then arranged to visit him at the footballer’s mansion the year after.
After another night out, she alleged that Mendy tried to rape her, but the footballer told the jury: “I asked her if we are OK to have sex. She told me, ‘No’ because of my friend.
“I was like, ‘It’s fine, my friend says it’s OK, so if you want, he’s OK with that’. It’s when she started to be like that – upset, sad. I just left the room.”
Two years later, a woman was out with friends at a bar close to Mendy’s home, going back to his place..
She alleges that he took her phone from her and took her to a locked bedroom, with Mendy chucking the phone on to a bed and, upon trying to get it back, Mendy was alleged to have raped her.
Mendy said to the jury the two had consented to having sex and later swapped details via Snapchat.
He was questioned whether he had held her down or forced her on to the bed. To which he replied: “No.”
He told the jury: “I will never force to have sex with a woman.”
Mendy wept when he was cleared. His lawyers said he would now ‘rebuild his life’ – and a likely return to top flight football.
Jenny Wiltshire, Head of Serious & General Crime at Hickman & Rose said: ‘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.
‘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 3 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.’
Mendy played made 75 appearances during his City career following a £52 million transfer from Monaco in July 2017.
His most recent City appearance came in August 2021 during a 1-0 Premier League defeat to Tottenham.
Rape and sexual abuse helplines
For Women (See below for Rape, Sexual Abuse & Personal Safety Abroad)
NHS
Help after rape and sexual assault
Sexual Abuse Referral Centres – Find a SARC
Sexual violence is a crime, no matter who commits it or where it happens. Don’t be afraid to get help.
SARCs are specialist medical and forensic services for anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted. They aim to be one-stop service, providing the following under one roof: medical care and forensic examination following assault/rape and, in some locations, sexual health services. Medical Services are free of charge and provided to women, men, young people and children.
Rape Crisis (England and Wales)
Helpline: 0808 500 2222 (24/7)
Support outside England and Wales
Rape Crisis England & Wales is the charity working to end sexual violence and abuse. We provide specialist information and support to all those affected by rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and all other forms of sexual violence and abuse in England and Wales. We are also the membership organisation for 39 Rape Crisis centres. Together, we aim to educate, influence and make change.
Rape Crisis Scotland
Helpline: 08088 01 03 02
Rape Crisis Scotland is Scotland’s leading organisation working to transform attitudes, improve responses and ultimately to end rape and sexual violence in all its forms. All of us deserve to live free from the fear and threat of sexual violence. We work to raise awareness of the prevalence and impact of rape, sexual assault and abuse, advocate for better health, justice and community responses, and work to make sure that no matter what happened or when, survivors can access specialist support.
Victim Support
Supportline: 08 08 16 89 111
Our services are confidential, free and available to anyone who’s been raped or sexually assaulted, now or in the past. We can help, regardless of whether you have told the police or anyone else about the attack. Our volunteers can visit you at home (if you want us to, and if doing so will not put you at further risk) or somewhere else if you prefer. If you don’t want to see anyone face-to-face, you can also talk to us on the ‘phone, either at one of our local offices or at the national Victim Supportline.
The Survivors Trust
Helpline: 0808 801 0818
Text: 07860 022956
Rape and sexual abuse can happen to anyone regardless of their age, gender, race, religion, culture or social status. Living with the consequences of rape and sexual abuse can be devastating. We believe that all survivors are entitled to receive the best possible response to their needs whether or not they choose to report.
Women’s Aid Federation
Chat to usWomen’s Aid is the national domestic violence charity that helps up to 250,000 women and children every year. We work to end violence against women and children.
For Men
Survivors UK – Male Rape and Sexual Abuse Support
We are here for any man, boy or non-binary person who has ever experienced unwanted sexual activity (such as words, images or touch). We can chat with you here through webchat, or by texting.
There’s no pressure or judgement when you contact us – you get to stay in control. You can reach out as little or often as you like. You may not be sure if we’re the right service for you. No problem, contact us anyway, and we’ll do our best to help or point you in the right direction.
Rape Crisis (England and Wales)
Helpline: 0808 500 2222 (24/7)
Rape Crisis England & Wales is the charity working to end sexual violence and abuse. We provide specialist information and support to all those affected by rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and all other forms of sexual violence and abuse in England and Wales. We are also the membership organisation for 39 Rape Crisis centres. Together, we aim to educate, influence and make change.
Rape, Sexual Abuse & Personal Safety Abroad
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Rape & Sexual Assault Abroad – Returning to the UK
Support for British Nationals Abroad
Rape and sexual assault can happen to women and men of all ages and backgrounds. While most visits abroad are trouble-free, we are becoming more aware of people being sexually assaulted whilst they are overseas. Sexual assault is a very traumatic experience whenever and wherever it happens, but the trauma can be made even more difficult to deal with when it happens abroad. We will be as helpful as we can to anyone who tells us they have had sex against their wishes or been attacked by someone wanting sex.
Rape Crisis Network Europe
RCNE is the network of European rape crisis centres. We aim to make sure that anyone who experiences sexual violence can get the help they need. We are active in influencing policy, standards and legislation through European governments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
All member centres share a ‘survivor-centred’ and anti-discriminatory approach.
When travelling abroad, most people are keen to relax and unwind. Travellers, tourists and foreign businessmen and women can be prime targets for criminals, however. In order to minimise stress on your holiday or trip, take time to plan your personal safety strategy in advance. From keeping your valuables safe to avoiding violence, a little forethought may save you from becoming a victim of crime.
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