London
CNN
—
Former Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy, who was recently found not guilty on charges of rape and attempted rape, has appealed for privacy as he seeks to “rebuild his life.”
Mendy, the 28-year-old former French international, was acquitted in his second trial at Chester Crown Court in northwest England. These charges were left undecided from a previous court proceeding.
Earlier in January, Mendy was found not guilty of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault at the same court. However, the jury couldn’t reach a decision on the two remaining charges, leading to the second trial.
Mendy expressed his gratitude outside the court, saying “Alhamdulillah,” which means “praise be to God” in Arabic.
His lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, shared his delight with the correct verdicts reached by both juries.
Wiltshire also expressed her gratitude to the jury members for focusing on the evidence in the trial instead of relying on rumors. She highlighted the impact the investigation has had on Mendy’s life and requested privacy as he embarks on rebuilding his life.
In response, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which brought the charges against Mendy, issued a statement affirming their respect for the jury’s decision. They reinforced their commitment to prosecuting rape cases and encouraged victims to report to the police.
The CPS clarified that their role is to objectively assess whether charges should be presented to the criminal court, rather than determining a person’s guilt.
Mendy, who played as a left-back, was suspended by Manchester City in August 2021 when the initial charges were announced. His contract with the club expired at the end of the 2022-23 season.
Mendy began his professional football career in France before moving to Britain to join Manchester City after playing for Le Havre, Olympique de Marseille, and Monaco.
