Benjamin Mendy appears in court on rape charges

Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy is accused of raping a woman while on bail and is accused of four other sexual offences, a court has heard.

Mendy, 27, was remanded in custody after appearing at Chester Magistrates Court on Friday.

He was accused of four counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

The French international, wearing a red Balenciaga hoodie and black tracksuit bottoms, stood in the dock with his arms crossed as the charges against him were brought.

The alleged attacks on three different women, including one under 18, are said to have taken place at his home address on Withinlee Road in Prestbury, Cheshire.

Mendy is accused of three counts of rape in October 2020 and of sexually assaulting a woman in early January this year.

He is also accused of raping a woman earlier this month.

A charge of breach of bail conditions appeared on the court docket but was withdrawn in court.

It was alleged that he breached the conditions in August, following his release on July 26.

Fourteen reporters were present in the courtroom for the hearing, which was delayed due to the arrival of a French interpreter.

Mendy spoke to confirm his name, age and address and was represented by attorney Christopher Stables.

District Judge Jack McGarva has referred the case to Chester Crown Court, where Mendy is due to appear on September 10.

Mendy showed no emotion as he was led out of the courtroom accompanied by two port officials at the end of the hearing, which lasted about an hour.

The left-back has played for Manchester City since 2017, when he joined from Monaco for a reported £52 million.

He was suspended from the club after police filed charges against him pending the completion of the investigation.