Potential jurors were told in court on Wednesday that five current and former Manchester City players could be mentioned or called as witnesses during Benjamin Mendy’s rape trial.
The names of Jack Grealish, Kyle Walker, Riyad Mahrez, John Stones, and Raheem Sterling — who signed for Chelsea this summer — were put to a panel of 38 potential jurors at Chester Crown Court.
Two questionnaires were handed out during the process of whittling down the number of jurors to 12 plus two ‘spares’. Potential jurors were asked whether anybody on the panel had any connections to City or Manchester United and if they had any connection to the players or knew them personally.
The players were also discussed because, while no wrongdoing has been suggested, they could be mentioned or even called as witnesses during the trial, which could last up to 15 weeks.
Mendy, who was suspended by City after his arrest in August, is accused of eight counts of rape, one count of sexual assault, and one count of attempted rape. Between October 2018 and August 2021, seven women were charged.
On Wednesday, the 28-year-old appeared in court with Louis Saha Matturie, who denies eight counts of rape and four counts of sexual assault against eight young women between July 2012 and August 2021.
Prior to the trial, none of the women involved must be identified, and reporting restrictions apply.
Leave a Reply