Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has been acquitted of charges relating to the alleged rape of a woman and attempted rape of another. The accusations stemmed from incidents involving a 24-year-old woman in October 2020 and an attempted rape of a 29-year-old woman, who also claimed he had molested her two years prior.
The courtroom was filled with tension as Mendy anxiously awaited the verdict. Judge Steven Everett announced the verdict of not guilty, causing Mendy to break down emotionally. With great relief, the judge stated, “Mr Mendy can be discharged from the dock.”
Earlier this year, Mendy had already been cleared of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving four young women or teenagers.
Following the latest acquittal, Mendy’s solicitor, Jenny Wiltshire, expressed gratitude to the jury for their focus on the evidence presented throughout the trial, rather than being swayed by the rumors and innuendo that had surrounded the case from the very beginning.
Wiltshire stated, “Benjamin Mendy would like to extend his heartfelt appreciation to the members of the jury for their diligent consideration of the facts. Their verdicts reflect a commitment to justice. This is the second time that Mr Mendy has faced trial and has been found not guilty by a jury. He is overjoyed that both juries reached the correct conclusions.”