Benjamin Mendy: footballer remanded in custody on rape charges

The Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy has been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with four counts of rape and a sexual assault.

The French international defender is accused of offences against a 17-year-old girl and two other complainants, a court heard on Friday.

© Provided by The Guardian Photograph: Nick Potts/PA

One of the alleged rapes is said to have taken place at Mendy’s home in Cheshire this week, Chester magistrates court was told.

The three other counts of rape date back to October 2020, and the sexual assault is alleged to have taken place in January this year.

Mendy, who had been expected to feature in Manchester City’s squad to face Arsenal on Saturday until he was charged, will spend at least the bank holiday weekend in custody after a judge refused his application for bail.

He is next due in court on 10 September, meaning he could be in custody at least until then unless his legal team appeals against the bail refusal. Any appeal would not be heard before early next week. 

Reference: The Guardian: Josh Halliday North of England correspondent