Manchester Metropolis and France footballer Benjamin Mendy stands trial Wednesday for the alleged rape and assault of seven ladies, which may see his taking part in profession finish in jail if convicted.
Mendy, 28, is due at Chester Crown Court docket in northwest England to face eight counts of rape, one rely of sexual assault and one rely of tried rape, regarding seven younger ladies.
He pleaded not responsible in Could to 9 of the ten expenses, however was subsequently hit with the additional rape rely which has not but been put to him in a court docket.
All of the alleged offences are stated to have taken place at Mendy’s dwelling handle in Prestbury close to Macclesfield, additionally in northwest England, between October 2018 and August final 12 months.
He’s standing trial earlier than a jury alongside along with his co-defendant Louis Saha Matturie, 40, who has additionally pleaded not responsible.
Matturie denies eight counts of rape and 4 counts of sexual assault, regarding eight younger ladies. His alleged offences span from July 2012 to August final 12 months.
Each the defendants are on bail, with Mendy topic to what a decide beforehand referred to as “stringent” situations, together with the give up of his passport.
After his arrest final August he was initially held at Altcourse jail in Liverpool, after which a jail in Manchester, earlier than being freed on bail in January.
Not one of the ladies stated to have been assaulted will be named beneath English regulation, which additionally locations restrictions on what will be reported concerning the case.
The trial is anticipated to last as long as six weeks.
It begins in the identical week that former Manchester United star Ryan Giggs began his trial on expenses of attacking and coercively controlling his ex-girlfriend.
Mendy joined Premier League champions Metropolis from French aspect Monaco in 2017. He has performed 75 occasions for the Manchester membership, however his taking part in time was restricted by accidents and a lack of kind.
He was suspended by Metropolis after being charged by police in August.
The final of Mendy’s 10 caps for France got here in November 2019, after the defender received the World Cup in 2018.
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