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Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has been found guilty by a jury at Chester Crown Court of rape and attempted rape. This prompted a number of snub reactions from social media users, including kickboxer and socialite Tristan Tate.
The former Citizens player has gone on trial over allegations that he breached the trust of a 24-year-old woman in a bedroom at his home in Cheshire in the fall of 2020. In addition, he was charged with attempted rape of a 29-year-old woman. Years ago on the same property, it was settled on.
However, a jury composed of equal parts of men and women decided in favor of Mindy. The footballer, who categorically denied all the accusations, reiterated his position that the confrontations are consensual.
Earlier this year, he had already been acquitted of several other sex crimes, though the jury found itself at a crossroads, unable to rule on those two specific counts.
Tristan Tate, an internet celebrity and brother of Andrew Tate, took to Twitter to share his reaction to the ex-Manchester City defender’s ruling:
“Operation is punishment. People will call him a rapist for the rest of his life. This is not justice.”
Mendy’s career took a massive rise when he became the most expensive defender in Premier League history, thanks to a massive £52m deal in 2017 that saw him move to the blue half of Manchester.
He won three trophies with Manchester City on his move from Monaco, and also tasted global glory as a key part of France’s 2018 World Cup-winning squad.
However, challenges off the field resulted in his contract with Manchester City not being renewed, and he was released at the end of June. Upon exiting court, Benjamin Mindy’s attorney, Jenny Wiltshire, delivered a statement on his behalf. It reads (via Sky Sports):
“Benjamin Mindy would like to thank the members of the jury for focusing on the evidence of this trial, rather than the rumors and insinuations that have followed this case from the outset. This is the second time that Mr. Mindy has been tried and found not guilty by the jury. He is pleased that both jurors reached to the correct judgement.
The next step for former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy
Fresh out of the shackles of heavy allegations, Benjamin Mindy finds himself at a career crossroads after being acquitted of all charges. Leaving the court a free man, he was acquitted of multiple charges of rape and sexual assault that had loomed for two years.
According to the Manchester Evening News, a wave of relief swept over Mindy as he wept while hearing the verdict, before making a brief statement through his solicitor. The question of whether he plans to return to professional football remains unanswered, as the statement stated:
“It has been almost three years since the police began investigating this matter. Mr Mindy has tried to stay strong but the operation has inevitably taken a serious toll on him. He thanks everyone who has supported him throughout this ordeal and is now asking for privacy so he can rebuild his life.”
Benjamin Mendy’s last appearance for Manchester City came in a Premier League match against Manchester City spurs in August 2021, before police charges were filed. As his contract expired at the end of last month, Mendy is now a free agent. But after a two-year hiatus from all levels of football, it is uncertain if he will return to play in the future.
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