It’s a trial that makes a lot of noise and for more than two months now, it’s a sordid unpacking that takes place in the court of Chester in England. The French footballer Benjamin Mendy is accused there by 7 different women of 8 rapes and an attempted rape and a sexual assault for facts which allegedly took place between October 2018 and August 2021. Since the start of the trial, several of the complainants have testified and their stories are gives me shivers. At first, it was more the profile of the 98 world champion that was put forward, then it was the turn of his mansion.
A dwelling that particularly intrigued the jury and in particular two rooms that only close from the inside and for which Benjamin Mendy is the only one to have the access code. Judged alongside Louis Saha Matturie (no link with former footballer Louis Saha), who is presented as his accomplice, the 28-year-old footballer denies all the charges against him since the start of the case. Yesterday, the jury was able to hear for the first time certain statements by Benjamin Mendy to the police in connection with four charges of rape of which he is the subject and the sportsman assures that all his relations were consented. “I am shocked to be accused of rape and forcible confinement”he told the police.
The next day I got up and went to practice. I didn’t violate it
Faced with the sometimes chilling stories of his alleged victims, Benjamin Mendy therefore ensures that he is in no way guilty in this case. Regarding one of the complainants who claims to have been raped while sleeping, he gives a diametrically opposed version. “I didn’t want to have sex with her when she was on her period. The next day I got up and went to practice. I did not rape (complainant)”assures the former Manchester City player.
He also returned to the history of locked doors, assuring that they can very well be opened from the inside with a simple handle. “She could leave at any time”he repeated several times, according to the transcripts of the Manchester Evening News. The footballer also clarified that two of the consensual sexual relations went perfectly and that there was even a moment of relaxation afterwards. “We relaxed in the lounge with friends, she was laughing and she was happy”he says about one of the complainants.
Benjamin Mendy remains presumed innocent of the charges against him until the final judgment of this case.