Footballer Benjamin Mendy Cleared, Trial in September

Former Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy has been found not guilty of one count of rape. The 28-year-old was on trial at Chester Crown Court accused of raping a young woman at his Cheshire mansion in October 2018. However, the jury was unable to reach a verdict on the charge, and Mendy was formally acquitted.  He had already been cleared of six other counts of rape and one count of sexual assault against six other women. Mendy’s lawyers said he was “relieved” by the verdict, and that he would now “focus on rebuilding his life.” The case against Mendy was highly publicized, and it cast a shadow over his career. Prior to arrest, Mendy signed a 6 year / £28,080,000 contract with the Manchester City F.C and was suspended by Manchester City in August 2021, and then was released by the club in June 2022. Mendy is still facing two outstanding charges of attempted rape and one charge of sexual assault. His trial for those charges is scheduled to take place in September 2023.