The lady accusing former Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy of rape has alleged that he told her he has slept with 10,000 women. The Manchester City star, who has been released from the club, is currently facing a retrial on one count of rape and one count of attempted rape.
The trial, presided over by Judge Stephen Everett, the Recorder of Chester, consists of a jury comprising six women and six men. The judge informed the jurors that Mendy had previously been found not guilty of sexual offenses alleged by other women in a trial that concluded earlier this year. However, as the previous jury failed to reach a verdict on the charges of rape and attempted rape, Mendy is now being retried for these specific allegations.
Judge Everett cautioned the jurors against seeking information about the previous trial or following media coverage related to it. He emphasized that their decision should solely be based on the evidence presented during the current trial.
During the opening statement at the trial, prosecutor Benjamin Aina provided details of the case. Aina stated that Mendy, as a contracted footballer for Manchester City FC, frequently hosted parties and social gatherings at his residence, The Spinney, in Mottram St Andrew, Cheshire. These gatherings would include both male and female guests.
According to the prosecution's case, Mendy took advantage of two female guests on separate occasions. Aina alleged that Mendy attempted to force himself on one female guest, identified as woman A, and raped another female guest, referred to as woman B, in one of the bedrooms.
Aina described the alleged rape of woman B, stating that Mendy led her to his bedroom after she asked for her phone back. The court heard that she was concerned because her phone contained "intimate" images. Once inside the locked bedroom, Mendy allegedly insisted on inspecting her while instructing her to undress. Despite her reluctance and explicit refusal, Mendy proceeded to rape her from behind.
According to Aina's account, Mendy then took a step back and commented, "You're too shy. It's fine. I've had sex with 10,000 women."
Regarding the attempted rape charge, Aina explained that woman A, a British student, first met Mendy in a Barcelona nightclub in late 2017, where she became involved with one of his friends. They maintained contact, and a year later, she visited Mendy's house along with his friend and other young women after a night out. The following morning, as she showered in the en suite bathroom, Mendy allegedly appeared uninvited, wearing only boxer shorts and exhibiting arousal. He then grabbed the woman and attempted to rape her on the bed while she struggled to break free and repeatedly demanded that he stop.
Mendy maintains that any sexual contact in both instances was consensual and denies any wrongdoing. The trial is expected to last approximately three weeks.
