Benjamin Mendy, a defender for Manchester City, was found not guilty of the rape of a 19-year-old woman by a judge presiding over his trial for many alleged sexual offenses in London.
His co-defendant, Louis Saha Matturie (41) was also absolved of two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault against the same victim, since the prosecution presented no additional evidence against the defendants on those four counts.
Judge Stephen Everett cautioned jurors at Chester Crown Court in northwest England against speculating as to why the prosecution opted not to pursue guilty verdicts on those offences and to continue “faithfully” trying the defendants on the remaining allegations.
Earlier, jurors were shown a private video of the lady engaging in “enthusiastic” sex with Matturie, when she claimed to have been raped.
The court heard that Matturie took the 20-minute mobile phone video on August 1, 2012, a week after both men allegedly assaulted the same lady on the same night at the footballer’s residence.
The victim told the jury that on August 1, 2021, after partying in Manchester, Matturie sexually raped her for a second time at a flat.
Lisa Wilding, representing Matturie, said in court that what occurred between them was “consensual, willing, and eager” sex, not rape.
The woman refuted this, stating that the experience made her feel “ashamed and repulsed.”
Wilding stated, “I’ll have to ask you to view some photos.”
The hearing was postponed, and when court reconvene after lunch, prosecutor Timothy Cray said that the prosecution will no longer seek guilty verdicts for suspected sexual offenses involving the 19-year-old victim.
The jury was then instructed to return not guilty verdicts for the accused.
The rape charge against 28-year-old Mendy was withdrawn a week before the incident with Matturie, when the woman stated that she awoke at Mendy’s house after a night of clubbing to find the footballer raping her.
According to DNA evidence, Matturie is also accused of raping her on the same night, July 24 of last year, but she has “no recall” of this, the court heard. This tally was likewise eliminated.
Prosecutors have accused that Mendy, the champion of the 2014 World Cup for France, is a “predator” who “made the pursuit of women for sex into a game.”
Mendy remains charged with seven counts of rape, one case of attempted rape, and one act of sexual assault involving six young women.
Matturie, the footballer’s friend and fixer, is claimed to have been responsible for arranging sexual encounters with underage women.
Matturie continues to deny six allegations of rape and three counts of sexual assault in connection with seven young women.
Both guys claim that any sexual activity with women was voluntary.
Mendy moved from French club Monaco to Premier League champion City in 2017.
He has played 75 times for the club, although injuries and a decline in form have curtailed his playing time.
In August of last year, he was charged by police and suspended by City.
AFP