French-born Manchester City player Benjamin Mendy was found not guilty of six counts of rape after his six-month trial at Chester Crown Court.
The professional football player, who was alleged to have committed these offences between October 2018 and August last year, was accompanied by his 'fixer' and co-defendant, Louis Matturie.
Mendy had been accused of being a “predator” who turned the pursuit of women for sex into a game, his trial heard, drinking champagne in VIP areas of Manchester nightclubs before inviting young women into “toxic and dangerous” situations at “after-parties” at his £4.7 million Cheshire mansion in Mottram St Andrew, near Prestbury.
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” – the accused were innocent.
He was first arrested in November 2020 after the alleged triple rape of the 24-year-old woman at his home the previous month.
Mendy was released under investigation before he was later accused of sexually assaulting another woman, aged 24, two months later, and while on police bail for that offence, was later accused of the rape of three other women, one aged 17 – all offences of which he was cleared.
Mendy was suspended by his club in August 2021, after he was charged with rape.
Timothy Cray KC, prosecuting, said the footballer, a man with money, power and privilege, thought about what was “in his pants” and that was why he got it “terribly wrong” in believing women were consenting to sex.
Lisa Wilding KC, representing Matturie told jurors it was “chillingly easy” to make false allegations and suggested all the women involved, all in some way connected through friendships, social media connections or by attending parties.
Lawyers for both men suggested while the trial began with claims Mendy and Matturie were “predators” and “monsters”, each allegation was “riddled with inconsistencies and flaws”.
Jurors were told not to take a “moralistic” approach to the defendants’ sexual lifestyles, and the approach of Cheshire Police was also criticised in court.
All not-guilty verdicts were unanimous but the jury was unable to reach a verdict on three counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
Matturie, a 41-year-old from Salford was also found not-guilty of six counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault relating to seven women.
The judge discharged the jury of seven men and four women, after they informed the judge that they were deadlocked and that more time would be needed to come to a verdict on the remaining cases.
Manchester City issue response as Benjamin Mendy found not guilty
In a statement discussing the case, Manchester City said: "Manchester City FC notes the verdict from Chester Crown Court today, where a jury has found Benjamin Mendy not guilty of seven charges. The jury is hung on two charges and the trial is now over.
"Given there are open matters related to this case, the Club is not in a position to comment further at this time."
Both Mendy and Matturie will face separate retrials later this year.
Matturie will face a retrial on the week commencing September 18 as well as a pretrial review on March 24.
Mendy's retrial will occur on June 26 with his pretrial review happening on January 27.
Upon the verdicts from the jury, Judge Steven Everett thanked those deciding on the case, saying: "It is very clear to me you have shown considerable care in listening carefully to the evidence.
"I do want to thank you for your incredible patience and stamina."
