LONDON, Jul 14 (Reuters) – Former Manchester City player Benjamin Mendy has been found not guilty on one count of rape and one count of attempted rape by a British court, PA Media reported on Friday.
In January, Mendy was found not guilty six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
The trial took place at Chester Crown Court, and the Manchester Evening News reported that Mendy wept after the verdict was read.
“Benjamin Mendy would like to thank the jurors for focusing on the evidence in this trial, rather than the rumors and innuendo that have followed this case from the beginning,” Mendy’s attorney said in a statement.
“This is the second time that Mr. Mendy has been tried and found not guilty by a jury. He is delighted that both juries have reached the correct verdicts.
“It has been almost three years since the police began to investigate this matter. Mr. Mendy has tried to stay strong, but the process inevitably had a serious impact on him.
“He thanks everyone who has supported him through this ordeal and now asks for privacy so he can start rebuilding his life.”
The 28-year-old joined City in 2017 and became the subject of a police investigation after 13 women accused him and jointly accused Louis Saha Matturie.
Mendy last played for City against Tottenham Hotspur in August 2021 and was suspended by the Premier League club later that month when he was arrested. City released him when his contract expired last month.
The French international signed for City from Ligue 1 side AS Monaco in 2017 for around 52 million pounds ($68.17 million).
($1 = 0.7628 pounds)
Reporting by William James and Simon Jennings, Editing by Kylie MacLellan and Ed Osmond
Our standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
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