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Benjamin Mendy: Footballer is a danger to women, jury told Benjamin Mendy: Footballer is a danger to women, jury told
(3 months later)
Benjamin Mendy denies a number of sex offences against six womenBenjamin Mendy denies a number of sex offences against six women
Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy is a "danger to women", the jury in his rape trial has been told.Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy is a "danger to women", the jury in his rape trial has been told.
Prosecutors said the 28-year-old, who is accused of seven counts of rape, thinks normal rules do not apply to him, so he gets it "terribly wrong" regarding consent to sex.Prosecutors said the 28-year-old, who is accused of seven counts of rape, thinks normal rules do not apply to him, so he gets it "terribly wrong" regarding consent to sex.
Mr Mendy has denied a number of sexual offences and told jurors he regretted his party lifestyle.Mr Mendy has denied a number of sexual offences and told jurors he regretted his party lifestyle.
He said it was like being on a "fast train" which kept "going and going".He said it was like being on a "fast train" which kept "going and going".
The French international is accused of being a "predator" who turned the pursuit of women for sex into a game, regularly going clubbing in Manchester before holding "after-parties" where young women were sexually assaulted.The French international is accused of being a "predator" who turned the pursuit of women for sex into a game, regularly going clubbing in Manchester before holding "after-parties" where young women were sexually assaulted.
Mr Mendy told the jury any sexual contact was always consensual.Mr Mendy told the jury any sexual contact was always consensual.
One rape complainant has claimed Mr Mendy told her having sex with him was a "privilege" and he had had sex with 10,000 women, the trial has heard.One rape complainant has claimed Mr Mendy told her having sex with him was a "privilege" and he had had sex with 10,000 women, the trial has heard.
'Not thinking''Not thinking'
During a second day of cross-examination at Chester Crown Court, Timothy Cray KC, prosecuting, asked Mr Mendy: "You didn't really see them as people, just things to be used for sex.During a second day of cross-examination at Chester Crown Court, Timothy Cray KC, prosecuting, asked Mr Mendy: "You didn't really see them as people, just things to be used for sex.
"That's how you did see them and how you would get it terribly wrong about whether they were consenting or not?""That's how you did see them and how you would get it terribly wrong about whether they were consenting or not?"
Mr Mendy replied: "No."Mr Mendy replied: "No."
The jury heard that, during the coronavirus pandemic, the flat Mr Mendy rented in Manchester and his home in Mottram St Andrew, Cheshire, were used for lockdown-busting parties.The jury heard that, during the coronavirus pandemic, the flat Mr Mendy rented in Manchester and his home in Mottram St Andrew, Cheshire, were used for lockdown-busting parties.
The prosecution said the parties were held to prey on young women.The prosecution said the parties were held to prey on young women.
The footballer's friend Louis Saha Matturie is also on trial and denies the charges against himThe footballer's friend Louis Saha Matturie is also on trial and denies the charges against him
Mr Cray continued: "Did you think the rules did not apply to you? You had parties because you had this lust for sex?"Mr Cray continued: "Did you think the rules did not apply to you? You had parties because you had this lust for sex?"
Mr Mendy said: "No. At the time I was just partying. I was not thinking that well."Mr Mendy said: "No. At the time I was just partying. I was not thinking that well."
Mr Cray said: "You were a danger to women, weren't you? Because you did not see any consequences of breaking really important rules?"Mr Cray said: "You were a danger to women, weren't you? Because you did not see any consequences of breaking really important rules?"
Mr Mendy said: "No, never. Having a social life, I did lots of things."Mr Mendy said: "No, never. Having a social life, I did lots of things."
Jurors were shown CCTV footage of Mr Mendy in a nightclub, dancing with women and holding his crotch.Jurors were shown CCTV footage of Mr Mendy in a nightclub, dancing with women and holding his crotch.
Mr Cray said: "That's what you thought about at the time - what's in your pants - and you had sex with them no matter what they thought."Mr Cray said: "That's what you thought about at the time - what's in your pants - and you had sex with them no matter what they thought."
Benjamin Mendy was cross-examined for the second day at Chester Crown CourtBenjamin Mendy was cross-examined for the second day at Chester Crown Court
Eleanor Laws KC, defending Mr Mendy, asked him about his attitude to women and lifestyle at the time of the alleged offences.Eleanor Laws KC, defending Mr Mendy, asked him about his attitude to women and lifestyle at the time of the alleged offences.
Mr Mendy said: "I was trying to be direct, to avoid conversation, go on dates… I was crazy. I was taking risks.Mr Mendy said: "I was trying to be direct, to avoid conversation, go on dates… I was crazy. I was taking risks.
"The party, the Covid rules… it was like the train was going fast and I was keeping going, keeping going, until I went to prison - the first time I was really alone and the first time to think about everything.""The party, the Covid rules… it was like the train was going fast and I was keeping going, keeping going, until I went to prison - the first time I was really alone and the first time to think about everything."
Mr Mendy denies seven counts of rape, one count of attempted rape and one count of sexual assault against six young women.Mr Mendy denies seven counts of rape, one count of attempted rape and one count of sexual assault against six young women.
His co-accused, Louis Saha Matturie, 41, of Eccles, Salford, denies six counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault relating to seven young women.His co-accused, Louis Saha Matturie, 41, of Eccles, Salford, denies six counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault relating to seven young women.
The trial continues.The trial continues.
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