Benjamin Mendy found not guilty of six counts of rape – BBC

Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy has been found not guilty of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault against four young women.
The jury failed to reach verdicts on one count of rape and one of attempted rape and a retrial will take place.
Louis Saha Matturie, 41, was also found not guilty of three counts of rape against two teenagers.
Jurors at Chester Crown Court could not reach verdicts on six other counts by five other women.
Mr Mendy, 28, and his friend Mr Matturie, had been accused of raping women at the player's home in Prestbury, Cheshire, and at a Manchester flat.
Mr Mendy covered his face with both hands as the jury foreman repeated "not guilty" to the six counts.
During a six-month trial, prosecutors told the jury Mr Mendy was a "predator" who turned the pursuit of women for sex into a game.
But jurors were also told by defence lawyers that while the trial, involving money, sex and celebrity, had "all the makings of a good drama", it came with a significant "plot twist" – that the accused were innocent.
Lawyers for both men argued each allegation was "riddled with inconsistencies and flaws". 
Lisa Wilding KC, representing Mr Matturie, told jurors it was "chillingly easy" to make false allegations and suggested all the women involved were in some way connected through friendships, social media or by attending parties.
Defending Mr Mendy, Eleanor Laws KC, suggested that "regret" at having "quick, animalistic sex" was not the same as being raped.
Jurors were told not to take a "moralistic" approach to the defendants' sexual lifestyles.
The unanimous not guilty verdicts were delivered on Wednesday by the seven men and four women on the jury, one juror having been discharged earlier for medical reasons.
The verdicts could not be reported until jurors concluded considering the remaining two counts, after they were given a majority direction by Judge Steven Everett, meaning he would accept a 10-1 majority on any verdict.
But after 14 days of deliberation, jurors could not reach verdicts on Mr Mendy's alleged attempted rape of a woman, 29, in 2018 and the alleged rape of another woman, 24, in October 2020.
The jury failed to reach a verdict on three counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault against Mr Matturie.
Judge Everett discharged the jury on Friday, ending the trial.
Both men had been on trial since 10 August, accused by 13 women of multiple sexual offences.
Lockdown-busting parties were held both at Mr Mendy's home and an apartment he rented on Chapel Street near Manchester city centre, the court heard.
He was first arrested in November 2020 and was suspended by his club in August 2021, after he was charged with rape.
The prosecution has sought a retrial on the two counts the jury failed to reach a verdict on and it has been scheduled for 26 June.
Mr Matturie also faces a retrial, with a trial date set for September.
Matthew Conway, prosecuting, said: "The prosecution has made a decision. We have made a decision today, which is to proceed on these counts in two separate trials and we seek today a provisional case management."
A statement from Manchester City said: "Given there are open matters related to this case, the club is not in a position to comment further at this time."
The allegations and trial had been "absolute hell" for Mr Mendy, the court heard, with his life in football "over" as he would "never escape" the accusations.
Mr Mendy's lawyer said he was "delighted" to have been cleared of sex attacks on four women and looked forward to clearing his name at a retrial over two other allegations and "rebuilding his life".
Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk
Benjamin Mendy 'will never return to former life'
Mendy jury can return majority verdict, judge says
Mendy jury retires to consider verdicts
Claims against Mendy's friend flawed, jury told
Mendy jurors told to question witness credibility
Defence asks Mendy jurors to end his hell
Mendy was a serial rapist, prosecutor tells court
Mendy jury told not to take moralistic approach
I don't know Mendy's life, Guardiola tells court
HM Courts & Tribunals Service
See the 4 north west restaurants named among top 100 in the UK
Man, 29, dies in fatal collision with tram as huge police presence arrives at scene
LIVE: Large police presence on main road in Wythenshawe following fatal collision between tram and 29-year-old man – latest updates
More than 30 Traffic Offence Reports issued in police operation
Delays cleared on M6 due to collision near Thelwall Viaduct
Northern Care Alliance reduces pay for bank staff
House Republicans launch inquiry into Biden files
Brazil top court includes Bolsonaro in riot probe
Lisa Marie to be buried next to son at Graceland
A life shadowed by family deaths and famous marriages
California’s devastating storm in maps and charts
China eyes life beyond Covid despite high infections
Does easing US inflation point the way for the world?
Weekly quiz: What is Johnny Rotten pondering next?
Did Bollywood’s longest kiss really happen in 1933?
India targets China's dominance in mobile phones
Africa's top shots: Angry rams, priest and prayers
How dangerous is blue-green algae?
Britain's lost and legendary 'Area 51'
The axed workers posting epic goodbyes
The skiers dedicated to alpine warfare
© 2023 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.

source

Leave a Comment