New court hearing date set for Benjamin Mendy rape case

Mendy is due to go on trial on January 24, 2022

A new court hearing date has been set for Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy after he was charged with two additional counts of rape. The Frenchman now faces six counts of rape and one of sexual assault which relate to four complainants over the age of 16. Mendy was charged in August, with the charges relating to three complainants over the age of 16 and alleged to have taken place between October 2020 and August 2021. He has been denied bail on three occasions. The 27-year-old is currently held on remand at HMP Altcourse in Liverpool. On Tuesday, Mendy was charged with two more offences of rape and appeared at Manchester Magistrates' Court via video link on Wednesday. He did not appear in person or via video link at a hearing at Chester Crown Court on Thursday, where prosecutor Ian Unsworth QC and Eleanor Laws QC, defending Mendy, dealt with administrative and legal matters during the 90-minute hearing. No application for bail was made on Thursday. Judge Steve Everett, Honorary Recorder of Chester, set a date of December 22 to deal with the two new rape charges, as well as other matters ahead of the trial. Mendy - who was suspended by Manchester City after being charged by police, pending an investigation - is due to go on trial on January 24, 2022. Related links:

• Mario Lemina posts Instagram story suggesting support for Benjamin Mendy
• Benjamin Mendy charged with two additional counts of rape
• Benjamin Mendy has been denied bail, will remain in prison until trial