Benjamin Mendy Faces Fresh Charges Of Attempted Rape

Manchester City and France footballer Benjamin Mendy is facing a new charge of attempted rape following his pre trial appearance at Chester Crown court on Wednesday.

The latest allegation, which relates to a new complainant, means the 27-year-old has now been accused of eight counts of rape, one count of sexual assault and one count of attempted rape, relating to seven young women.

Mendy pleaded not guilty last month to the prior charges. The latest has not yet been put to him in a court. 

The media had been banned from publishing the latest charge, but that restriction was lifted by judge Steven Everett during a hearing at Chester Crown Court in northwest England on Wednesday.

Mendy is due to go on a new trial on July 25 along with his co-defendant Louis Saha Matturie, 40, who has also pleaded not guilty.