Benjamin Mendy had 'predatory look on face' just before attempted rape, court told

Footballer Benjamin Mendy pictured on the opening week of his retrial at Chester Crown Court

The jury in Benjamin Mendy’s retrial has been played a pre-recorded cross-examination video in which an alleged victim said that the footballer had a “predatory look on his face” before he allegedly attempted to rape her.

Mendy, 28, has pleaded not guilty to one count of attempted rape, alleged to have occurred in October 2018, and a second charge of rape, alleged to have taken place in October 2020.

The jury of six men and six women at Chester Crown Court have been informed by Judge Steven Everett that this is a retrial and Mendy was acquitted of a number of charges during the first trial.

On Friday they were played a video of a police interview with a woman who alleged that Mr Mendy attempted to rape her in a bedroom at his Cheshire mansion on 25 October 2018.

The police interview took place in January 2022 and the jury was told that the woman did not come forward until she learned via the media that Mr Mendy had been arrested for other offences. She also visited a doctor to discuss her anxiety, the jury heard.

Following the police interview, the jury was shown another pre-recorded video of the alleged victim being cross-examined by Mr Mendy’s defence barrister, Ms Eleanor Laws KC.

During that video, the woman said Mr Mendy had a “predatory look on his face” before he attempted to rape her having walked into a bathroom while she showered.

The incident is alleged to have occurred the morning after the woman had a night out with Mr Mendy and a friend of the footballer’s, whom she was intimate with.

On Thursday the jury heard that the footballer had asked his friend if he could have permission to ask the woman to have sex.

During the cross-examination video, Ms Laws KC put it to the woman that Mr Mendy asked to have sex with her. "No," the woman replied.

The KC then asked: "Did you say something about not wanting to, because of [Mr Mendy's friend]?" "No," the woman replied.

Ms Laws said: “[Mr Mendy] told you he had asked his friend if it was alright if he had sex with you and his friend had said it was. Do you remember that?"

"No," the complainant responded.

Ms Laws continued: "That would have upset you, wouldn't it?"

"I think it would upset anyone," the woman said.

"He didn't at any point try to penetrate you, do you agree or not?" Ms Laws said. "Disagree," the complainant says.

Mr Mendy officially leaves Manchester City today upon the expiration of his contract. He had been suspended by the club since his arrest in August 2021.

The defender joined City in 2017 from Monaco for £52million and, despite repeated injury problems, won three Premier League titles at the club.

The trial continues on Monday.