By Tim Parsons-
A Premier League footballer was today remanded in custody after facing charges of sexual attacks on two women and one teenage girl at his £5million home. Benjamin Mendy of Manchester City has been charged with four counts of rape – the latest of which allegedly happened earlier this week – and one sexual assault.
Mendy, 27, who moved to the reigning champions for £52million four years ago, is accused of committing the fourth rape while on bail for the other four offences.
The French defender has also been suspended by Manchester City this week after being charged.
Mendy, of Prestbury, Cheshire, wearing a red Balenciaga hoodie and black jogging bottoms, stood in the dock with his arms folded as the charges were put to him. He spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth and entered no pleas.
The footballer, who had arrived at court in a prison van under a police escort, faces five charges relating to three alleged complainants, one of whom is aged under 18
Police said yesterday that all three complainants were aged over 16.
Mendy earns £90,000 a week and lives in a £5million mansion in Prestbury, an upmarket village near Manchester popular with fellow players.
He is charged with three counts of rape in October 2020 at his home in Prestbury, and the sexual assault of a woman at his home in early January this year.
Mendy is also charged with the rape of a woman this month, also at his home.
District Judge Jack McGarva sent the case to Chester Crown Court where Mendy is due to appear on September 10.
Mendy showed no emotion as he was taken from the court accompanied by two dock officers at the end of the hearing, which lasted about an hour.
He has been remanded into custody at HMP Altcourse in Liverpool. Earlier, Mendy arrived at Chester Magistrates’ Court in a GeoAmey vehicle this morning.
The DAF van was given an escort by a Peugeot 308 police car before driving into the court building through an open red shutter door, which was then closed behind it.
Yesterday, a spokesman for Cheshire Constabulary said the Crown Prosecution Service had authorised the force to charge Mendy in connection with the alleged sex attacks, which involve three female complainants over the age of 16.
The spokesman said: ‘Benjamin Mendy, aged 27, has been charged with four counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
‘The charges relate to three complainants over the age of 16 and are alleged to have taken place between October 2020 and August 2021.
‘Mendy, of Prestbury, has been remanded in police custody and is set to appear at Chester Magistrates’ Court on Friday 27 August.’
He added: ‘Cheshire Constabulary and the Crown Prosecution Service would like to remind everyone that criminal proceedings against Mendy are live and that he has a right to a fair trial.