The suspended Manchester City defender, who faces nine charges with six alleged victims, was not required to attend the hearing before the trial began on July 25
Benjamin Mendy was pictured entering a cafe in Cheshire on the day of a pre-trial hearing at which the suspended Manchester City full-back was excused from taking part in a series of sex crimes allegations.
The 27-year-old, wearing a black jumper with the word ‘Flash’ across the front, track pants and white trainers, was seen walking around London Road, Alderley Edge, before entering a cafe at lunchtime.
He will appear in court beginning July 25 alongside co-defendant Louis Saha Matturie, 40, who faces similar allegations.
Mendy faces nine charges, including seven counts of rape, involving six alleged victims. Matturie is charged with ten offenses involving seven women, including seven counts of rape involving five women and three counts of sexual assault.
All fees refer to a period between the end of 2020 and August 2021.
Today’s hearing, chaired by Judge Steven Everett, addressed administrative matters relating to the trial, which is scheduled to begin July 25 at Chester Crown Court. It lasted 35 minutes.
None of the women involved can be identified by law as a sex offender complainant.
Both defendants were released on bail in January after being held in custody since their first arrest on August 26 last year.
As part of the terms of his bail, Mendy was required to give up his passport and reside at his Cheshire home. He was also told not to contact complainants.
Mendy was suspended by City on the day of his arrest, with the club saying he was “unable to comment further [the legal] Operation is complete.”
He joined the club from Monaco in 2017 in a deal worth more than £50million. The ten-time France international has played more than 70 games for City and won three Premier League medals.
Source: mirror