RAPE CHARGES: Benjamin Mendy denied bail

Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has been refused bail ahead of his trial for rape and sexual assault.

Mendy was denied bail by Judge Patrick Thompson at a hearing at Chester Crown Court, having been in custody for around seven weeks.

It was the third bail application Mendy had made.

Mendy, 27, who has been in custody for around seven weeks, was denied bail by Judge Patrick Thompson at a 50-minute hearing at Chester Crown Court.

The defendant who was not in court is being held on remand at HMP Altcourse, Liverpool.

He is yet to enter pleas to the charges of four counts of rape and one of sexual assault, which were issued in August.

A trial date has been set for January 24, 2022.

Mendy is charged with alleged attacks on three different women, including one under 18.

ALSO READ: RAPE CHARGES :Benjamin Mendy suspended by Man City

Three of the cases are alleged to have taken place in October 2020 and he is accused of sexually assaulting a woman in early January this year.

He is also charged with raping a woman in August.

A second man, aged 40, was arrested on suspicion of rape as part of the police investigation into the allegations but was released on bail, Cheshire Constabulary said.

Mendy has also been suspended by Man City, pending an investigation.

A statement from the club after he was charged in August read: “Manchester City can confirm that following his being charged by police today, Benjamin Mendy has been suspended pending an investigation.

“The matter is subject to a legal process and the Club is therefore unable to make further comment until that process is complete.”

He was signed by the club from Monaco for a reported £52million, going on to make 75 appearances for the Premier League champions.