The 27-year-old Manchester City Defender, Benjamin Mendy, has been charged with rape on four counts, and one count of sexual assault. The police confirmed that Mendy has been remanded in custody, and is set to appear at Chester Magistrate’s court on Friday, 27th of August, 2021.
The Chester Constabulary said in a statement that the case was handed over to them by the Crown Prosecution Service and the charges spread across three complainants over the age of 16 and were alleged to have taken place between October 2020 and August 2021.
The Constabulary reminded everyone that the proceedings against Mendy are live and he has a right to fair trial. “It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice ongoing proceedings.” It should be noted Mendy’s agent did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking comments on the fast-approaching court date.
Who Is Benjamin Mendy?
He is a French professional football player who played as a left-back for Manchester City, a Premier League club, and the France national team. He was born on the 17th of July, 1994 in Longjumeau, France.
This footballer started his youth career for Palaiseau in 2000, when he was only six years old. After coming through Le Havre’s youth academy, who he played with for three years, Mendy began his playing career with the club’s reserve side in 2010, eventually being promoted to the first team a year later.
He remained with the club until 2013 when he joined Ligue 1 side Marseille. Mendy spent the next three seasons with Les Olympiens before leaving for Monaco, where he won the national championship in 2016/2017. In late 2017, Mendy moved to the Premier League club Manchester City on a world-record transfer fee for a defender.
He bagged the Premier League cup in his first season in England. Mendy made his senior debut for France in 2017 after previously being capped by France youth teams at under-16, under-17, under-18, under-19, and under-21 levels. He was chosen by France’s squad for the 2018 World Cup which they won. Although he has had at least one relationship previously, according to Celeb Couples, Mendy is single at the moment.
Mendy’s Stint With Manchester City
Mendy joined City from Monaco after signing a five-year contract for a reported fee of about £52million in July 2017.]
Although the left-back struggled with injuries during his time with the club, with a total appearance of 75, in over four seasons, he was part of the squad that won the World Cup in 2018.
In the 2018/19 season, Mendy played in 10 of the first 12 Premier League games for Manchester City; he assisted five goals in the process.
On November 14, 2018, just days after the 3–1 win against Manchester United, it was announced that Mendy had once again undergone surgery in Barcelona for a cartilage problem in his left knee, and was expected to be out for three months. This season, he started the Community Shield Clash with Leicester City. He also opened the Premier League, playing against Tottenham.
Man City Confirms Mendy’s Suspension
On the 26th of August, 2021, Manchester United confirmed that Mendy had been suspended following charges laid against him, ranging from rape and sexual assault.
In a statement that was issued to the public, they stated, “Manchester City can confirm that following his being charged by police today, Benjamin Mendy has been suspended pending an investigation.
View this post on Instagram
v
The matter is subject to a legal process and the Club is, therefore, unable to make further comment until that process is complete.” We can only wish the law takes its due and full course while hoping he comes out of this in one piece.
Sexual Assault And Its Repercussions
Although the definition of sexual assault might differ from place to place, one thing holds the same in all cases–a lack of consent. Consent must take place between two adults, and this may change or be withdrawn at any time during a sexual activity.
According to the laws of the United Kingdom, where Mendy would be tried, sexual assault is a statutory offense, which can be when one person intentionally touches another person sexually and without consent.
A person guilty of this offense is either liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or both (summary conviction) or imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years(conviction on indictment).
View this post on Instagram
In these laws, it is explicitly explained that a person can’t give consent when they’re either under duress, intimidated, physically disabled, drugged, or unconscious. It also states that “a person consents if he agrees by choice, and has the freedom and capacity to make that choice.”
