Former Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy found not guilty of rape and attempted rape

Mendy was accused of attacking a 24-year-old woman at his £4m mansion in Mottram St Andrew, Cheshire in October 2020, and of attempting to rape another woman, aged 29, who said he had also molested her at his home two years before.

The 28-year-old French international footballer was under contract to Manchester City until 1 July.

Mendy was cleared of six rapes and one count of sexual assault at an earlier trial in January, but jurors failed to reach verdicts on two counts of rape and attempted rape, leading to the re-trial.

The trial at Chester Crown Court lasted for three weeks, with the jury of six men and six women deliberating for about three hours and 15 minutes before reaching their conclusion.

Judge Steven Everett discharged Mendy from the dock after the not guilty verdicts were read out by the jury foreman.

Mendy's lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, said: "Benjamin Mendy would like to thank the members of the jury for focussing on the evidence in this trial, rather than on the rumour and innuendo that have followed this case from the outset." Mendy had previously been cleared of six rapes and one count of sexual assault at an earlier trial in January.

The charges related to four young women or teenagers, with jurors failing to reach verdicts on two counts of rape and attempted rape, leading to the re-trial.

The case was controversial, with the prosecution alleging that Mendy had enjoyed parties at his home and that his wealth and celebrity status turned him into a man not used to being told "no".

However, Mendy denied the allegations, telling the jury that he had never forced himself on any woman and that he would never do so.

Mendy's career as a footballer has been successful, with the defender playing for Manchester City and the French national team.

However, this case has cast a shadow over his reputation and his future in the sport remains uncertain.

A man has been found guilty of two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder after a shooting at a property in Heywood, Greater Manchester, in June 2021.

The jury at Manchester Crown Court took six hours to reach their verdicts in the case of Rohan Mendis, who was accused of carrying out the shootings.

Rohan Mendis, 41, of no fixed address, was found guilty of murdering Kadeen Jermin, 23, and his friend Jaden Moodie, 19, who were both shot dead at close range, and of attempting to murder a third man, Christian Hickey, who was also shot.

The verdicts were welcomed by Detective Chief Inspector Nick Wallen, who led the investigation on behalf of Greater Manchester Police, as well as by Kadeen Jermin's mother, Tina, who said she was "elated" by the verdicts.

Jurors were told that Mendis had a "substantial criminal record" and had served time in prison for drug offenses.

Prosecutors presented evidence including CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts as part of their case against him.

In a statement issued after the verdicts, Kadeen Jermin's mother, Tina, said: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank detectives, especially DCI Wallen, who led the investigation, as well as the forensic team and witnesses who gave evidence in court." She added: "I am elated that justice has been served for Kadeen and Jaden.

They were both taken from us in such a tragic and violent manner, and it is important that the person responsible has been held accountable for their actions.

My family and I will always miss Kadeen and Jaden, and we hope that these verdicts will bring some closure to their loved ones as well." Mendis will be sentenced on February 23.