Benjamin Mendy faces new attempted rape charge and is now accused of nine offences

dailystar.co.uk:

Benjamin Mendy faced a new attempted rape charge at his pre-trial hearing involving a new complainant.The Manchester City footballer was pictured arriving at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday morning, and he is now accused of nine offences in all relating to six women.

It has also been confirmed he will go on trial on July 25, which is estimated to last up to six weeks.Judge Thompson set a further pre-trial hearing for March 11.Mendy had previously been charged with seven counts of rape relating to four women and one of sexual assault.He had been remanded in custody since October 1 last year, but was granted bail back on January 7 and was allowed to return home to his £5m Cheshire mansion.In order to do so, the 27-year-old was told to surrender his passport, live only at his home address, and make no contact with any complainants.The earlier eight charges are three counts of rape, alleged to have happened on October 11 2020; sexual assault on January 2 2021; one count of rape on July 24 2021 and two counts of rape on August 23 2021.The Frenchman had initially been housed at Liverpool's Category B prison HMP Altcourse following his arrest.But due to fears for his safety, before Christmas he was moved to top-security prison Strangeways, dubbed as the UK's 'grimmest' prison.Co-defendant Louis Saha Matturie, 40, of Eccles, Salford, is accused of 10 offences, involving seven women, including seven counts of rape relating to five women and three of sexual assault.Mendy has been suspended by City since the allegations came to light earlier this year.City also withdrew shirts and merchandise that included the name of Mendy from their website after he was charged..