Today, a court heard that Manchester City striker Benjamin Mendy attempted to rape a woman after she emerged from a shower at his house.
Before proceedings were paused due to a broken speaker, brief facts of the alleged incident were provided.
Yesterday, the 28-year-old footballer Mendy was accused of being a “predator” who shown “callous disregard.”
Eight counts of rape, one count of attempted rape, and one act of sexual assault are denied.
His co-defendant Louis Saha Matturie, referred to in court as “Saha,” disputes eight charges of rape and four counts of sexual assault against eight young women. The alleged crimes occurred between July 2012 and August of last year.
Prosecutor Timothy Cray QC told the court this morning that in October 2018, Mendy attempted to rape a 29-year-old woman after she bathed in his Cheshire house.
Mr. Cray said that woman contacted police in January of this year after the £52 million Premier League star’s name was published in connection with previous claims.
Today’s session began with a few seconds of videotaped testimony from the first claimed victim, whose legs could be seen trembling.
The hearing was postponed for an hour because the judge was unable to hear the recording via the courtroom speakers. It subsequently became evident that the issue could not be resolved swiftly, and the jury was instructed to return on Wednesday.
Yesterday, the court heard accusations that Saha met young women in the Manchester nightclub Chinawhite before bringing them back to the celebrity’s Cheshire estate.
Some of the alleged victims say their phones were stolen from them and they were plied with wine in an effort to coerce them to cooperate when they visited the huge, remote home.
Two others said they were assaulted while held in “panic rooms.”
The duo, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, said that Mendy sexually assaulted them in the main bedroom and the office below.
Both featured a particular locking mechanism that, in the event of a break-in, formed a “panic chamber” that could only be accessed from the inside.
These doors could only be opened from the inside, so the ladies assumed they were imprisoned inside.
Mendy, 28 years old, is charged with eight counts of rape, one count of attempted rape, and one act of sexual assault. He is accused of being a ‘predator’ who shown ‘callous disregard’ He rejects the accusations.
Saha, age 40, has pled not guilty to all accusations against him, which include eight counts of rape and four counts of sexual assault.
Prosecutor Timothy Cray QC said, “One of Saha’s goals was to bring beautiful ladies to The Spinney so Mendy could pursue them.”
On July 23, 2012, a lady from Chinawhite in Manchester returned to the home where she said Mendy had raped her.
Mr. Cray stated, “He escorted her downstairs to the movie room, where she told her companion, “If I don’t return in five to ten minutes, please come searching for me.”
Her pal attempted to descend the steps, but two of Mendy’s unidentified colleagues blocked the way.
Two other 19-year-old women who had gone to the club proceeded to Mendy’s place, where they were reportedly also raped.
Yesterday, the court heard that while Mendy assaulted the first victim, he said “Don’t move, don’t move,” while the second woman awoke to discover the football player raping her.
In Mendy and his co-defendants’ court case, it was previously said that they “made the pursuit of victims for sex into a game” by repeatedly violating the boundary of permission.
Men raped and sexually assaulted women because they believed they were strong and could get away with it, according to the opening statement of the lawsuit.
On Monday at midday, the jury was given a video tour of The Spinney house, replete with a swimming pool and Jaws-style mural, as well as a gym with paintings of Mendy and his name plastered on the walls.
In his opening statement, Mr. Cray QC informed the jury, “The case is straightforward.” This case really has little to do with football. Men who rape and sexually abuse women because they believe they are strong and can get away with it is yet another chapter in a very ancient tale.
They were fully aware of what they were doing. They transformed their sexual pursuit of women into a game. They were willing to breach that threshold several times. This result was the result of their game.
“To them, these women were expendable objects to be exploited for sex and discarded.”
“Central to the case is Mendy’s residence during the period in question. We assert that Mendy’s residence contributed to the defendants’ ability to exert influence over the victims.
“This is a mansion. However, more crucially, it was isolated, as so many victims believed.
On occasion, when the victims arrived, their phones were stolen from them. Some of the complainants were escorted to closed rooms.’
Mr. Cray told the jury that Saha, of Eccles, Salford, was Mendy’s buddy and fixer, and that one of his duties was “to recruit young ladies and create the settings in which they might be raped and sexually attacked.”
The prosecution said that Mendy was a’reasonably renowned footballer’ who, because to his riches and position, others were willing to assist him in obtaining what he desired.
He continued, “Our contention is that the defendants’ pursuit of these thirteen women transformed them into sexual predators willing to conduct major sexual offenses.”
The jury would repeatedly hear about the defendants’ refusal to accept “no” as an acceptable response, he said.
The prosecution said that Mendy and Saha state in ‘broad words’ that all of the ladies readily agreed to sexual activity, with the exception of a few claims in which sexual activity was denied.
Timothy Cray noted that there are no “major conflicts” about timings or locations, and “what occurred” is not disputed.
A crucial issue is whether or whether the ladies agreed to sexual activity.
Mr. Cray said, “In the end, these cases are about where the line is drawn.”
You will be able to determine whether, in each instance, the defendants exceeded those limits since this is a core, easily comprehensible life experience – you will know where the truth lies after hearing the ladies in question, the challenges to them, and other material pertinent to the accusations.’
Before the trial began last week, the names of Raheem Sterling, Jack Grealish, Kyle Walker, Riyad Mahrez, and John Stones, all current or former Manchester City players, were read to the jury.
His Honor Judge Everett sought to ensure that no jurors had any personal ties to anybody who may be mentioned or summoned as a witness during the trial.
The Recorder of Chester, Judge Everett, said to the jury last Thursday, “Perhaps you have heard their names.” Mr. Mendy is a professional player for Manchester City, as some of you are likely aware.’
The trial is likely to run up to 15 weeks and both defendants are out on bail.
There is no way to identify the women who have made the claims, and reporting prohibitions are in place before to the trial.
Eight men and six women were sworn in to serve on the jury; however, two members will be dismissed after the commencement of the case.
Mendy has played for Manchester City since 2017, when he reportedly arrived for £52 million from Monaco.
The club suspended him when he was charged by authorities.
In addition, Judge Everett informed the jury, “There are 22 counts or charges; if you are feeling overwhelmed by this, I can tell you that you will have a great deal of support in approaching this.”
“Do not be intimidated or overpowered by it. This case might go until November.
The proceeding continues.