Benjamin Mendy and his club, Manchester City have broken their long-held silence as the beleaguered defender is set to face a retrial after being cleared of rape.
Benjamin Mendy will face a retrial for another two charges of rape after he was cleared of seven charges by the jury.
The new development in Benjamin Mendy’s court trial was confirmed in a statement through his lawyer, who said the 28-year-old is “delighted” to have been cleared of sex attacks on four women.
Jenny Wiltshire, who has been defending the Premier League and Manchester City player, said his client is now looking to “rebuild his life”.
The legal expert also conveyed the appreciation of his client to the members of the jury for showing absolute commitment and dedication to the tenets of sound legal doctrines, which has helped serve justice on the highly-publicized case.
The lawyer also extended Benjamin Mendy’s greetings to all his supporters, who stood by him throughout his ordeal, especially the witnesses who believed him and gave pieces of evidence in court to prove his innocence.
“He also thanks everyone who supported him, particularly the witnesses who gave evidence on his behalf in the glare of such intense publicity.
Benjamin Mendy will face two more charges still related to rape, and his lawyer has confirmed he is looking forward to clearing his name of the two more charges and return to his career.
“He looks forward to clearing his name in relation to the other two charges so he can start rebuilding his life”, the representative added.
As legal proceedings resume in earnest to justify the innocence of Benjamin Mendy on the two more rape charges, Jenny Wiltshire added there will be no further comments on the case until the proceedings are brought to its conclusion.
Benjamin Mendy was isolated from his Manchester City teammates, and plunged into a legal tussle for alleged rape cases involving several women.
He was indicted for allegedly assaulting and raping women in his house in Greater Manchester. Several women, who were the alleged victims emerged to tell their stories of how Benjamin Mendy raped and assaulted them through the help of his fixer Matturrie.
One woman narrated how the Manchester City star ripped off her undies and forced himself on her before claiming it was a privilege for the victim to sleep with him.
The prosecutor, who indicted Benjamin Mendy said the Manchester star objectified his victims and see women as prey that could be hunted for casual pleasures.
After a dragging legal tussle that took months, Benjamin Mendy was found not guilty of all six rape charges and one sexual assault against four women.
Jurors could not reach verdicts on one count of rape and one of attempted rape against another alleged victim.
Judge Everett brought jurors back into court and asked if they would reach further verdicts if given more time.
The foreman of the jury replied: “No. We are at a point now where we can’t agree.”
Judge Everett told them: “It is not unusual that jurors don’t reach verdicts on some counts. You have to be true to your duty.”
Mendy, who remains in custody, will now face a pre-trial on January 27 before a three-week trial starts on June 26.
Manchester City reacts to Chester Court verdict.
After Benjamin Mendy was found not guilty of seven charges, Manchester City recognize the verdict of the court and the two remaining allegations.
They, however, added the club will not comment further on the case pending the final resolution of all bottlenecks in the trial.
“Manchester City FC notes the verdict from Chester Crown Court today, where a jury has found Benjamin Mendy not guilty of seven charges.
“The jury is hung on two charges and the trial is now over.
“Given there are open matters related to this case, the club is not in a position to comment further at this time.”
