Author: News Desk

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One of the alleged rapist’s statements to police was read out in court this week (Picture: PA)

Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy told detectives he was ‘shocked to be accused of rape’ after his arrest, a court has heard.

The 28-year-old, who is standing trial accused of seven counts of rape involving six women, was interviewed by police several times as the allegations emerged.

He gave prepared statements followed by ‘no comment’ answers on instruction by his lawyer, jurors at Chester Crown Court were told this week.

One of the statements he gave in relation to his first alleged victim was read out in court.

The 24-year-old woman claims Mendy raped her three times in a locked room at his £4.7 million mansion in Mottram St Andrew, Cheshire, in October 2020.

He told police he had been out drinking with a group including his friend Louis Saha Matturie, who is also accused of rape, in Alderley Edge near his home.

In his statement, he said they met some women and invited them back to his home, where they were told not to video his home.

But he saw one of the women doing so, adding: ‘I asked her to delete the video. She gave me her phone and I deleted it.

The 28-year-old is accused of seven counts of rape, all of which he denies (Credits: PA)

‘As I did so a photo of her with no clothes on came up on screen. She said she had more photos of her like that and we agreed to go upstairs to my bedroom so she could show me more.’

Mendy claims that, once in the bedroom, she showed him more nude photos and they started kissing.

According to his statement, she gave him oral sex and agreed they would ‘play around’ but she did not want to go any further.

He said the 24-year-old then left, and that he ended up having sex with one of her friends from the bar, who also stayed the night in his bed.

Mendy is said to have met the women while out drinking with co-accused Louis Saha Matturie (Picture: PA)

The statement given to detectives continued: ‘I’m shocked to be accused of rape and false imprisonment.

‘All sexual activity between me and her was completely consensual. I did nothing to prevent her from leaving.’

Mendy denies all rape charges against him, as well as one count of attempted rape and one of sexual assault.

Mr Matturie, of Eccles, Salford, denies six counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault in relation to seven women.

Both say that if any sex did take place with women or girls it was consensual.

The trial continues.

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