The Benjamin Mendy affair is far from coming to an end. On Wednesday 22 December, when he was presented in front of the Chester Crown Court, the Manchester City player was charged with a seventh rape. He was already charged with six rapes and sexual assault by four different women.
Since the end of August and the first accusations shared by the Cheshire police, until this latest twist, the noose has continued to tighten around the 27-year-old defender.
August 26: Benjamin Mendy accused of four rapes and sexual assault
It all started on August 26, when Cheshire police revealed in the afternoon that Benjamin Mendy had been remanded in custody on four charges of rape and one of sexual assault. A few minutes earlier, his club Manchester City had announced the player’s suspension until further notice due to an investigation he was the subject of. Benjamin Mendy is held at Altcourse Prison in Merseyside on August 27.
Club statement.
– Manchester City (@ManCity) August 26, 2021
November 16: British justice notifies two new charges of rape
On November 16, the Crown Prosecution Service, in charge of prosecution in England, revealed that the former France international was charged with two more rapes, pushing the total of charges to six rapes and one sexual assault. Benjamin Mendy was heard by the court again over the next two days, and he was kept in detention at Altcourse.
December 22: Benjamin Mendy charged with a seventh rape, the date of his trial postponed
A new hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, December 22, during which the 27-year-old defender must plead guilty or not guilty. But the Chester Crown court announces that Benjamin Mendy is indicted for a seventh rape, and that the trial date, initially scheduled for January 24, has been pushed back to allow the prosecution and the defense to study the whole case.
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The dates to come: two hearings on January 7 and 24, the trial not before June 27
The case will continue for a good part of the year 2022. A hearing will be held from January 7, and will address the conditions of detention of Benjamin Mendy, with the question of release on bail in particular. On January 24, the player will have to rule on his guilt during a pre-trial hearing. This will take place on June 27 or August 1, 2022.