News
Benjamin Mendy: Women ‘Disposable’ To ‘Predator’ Footballer, Jury Told
Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy is a “predator” who “turned the pursuit of women for sex into a game”, a court has heard.
The 28-year-old is accused of eight counts of rape, one of attempted rape and one of sexual assault.
Opening the case, Timothy Cray QC said it had “very little to do with football” and more about men who “think they are powerful”.
He said the women were “disposable” to Mr Mendy.
Chester Crown Court heard the offences against seven young women are alleged to have taken place at Mr Mendy’s “isolated mansion” home between October 2018 and August 2021.
Some women said they had their mobile phones taken away, while others said they were attacked in locked rooms.
‘Thrown to one side’
The French international, of Prestbury, Cheshire, is on trial alongside co-defendant Louis Saha Matturie, 41.
The pair, who appeared in court assisted by a French translator, deny all the allegations.
Jurors heard how the £52m Premier League star was “prepared to cross that line” of consent “over and over again” and if “women got hurt or distressed, too bad”.
Mr Cray said: “It is another chapter in a very old story: men who rape and sexually assault women, because they think they are powerful, and because they think they can get away with it.”
The prosecutor said the feelings of the women “counted for nothing”.
He continued: “These women were disposable: things to be used for sex, then thrown to one side.
“That was the effect of deliberate, planned choices the defendants made, and the desires they let loose many times.”
The prosecution told the court how the footballer enjoyed a “privileged and moneyed lifestyle”, and that his “wealth and status” meant “others were prepared to help him to get what he wanted”.
“The doors of restaurants and nightclubs were open to him, people wanted to be with him,” Mr Cray said.
Mr Cray said Mr Matturie was his friend and fixer, and he would “find young women and to create the situations where those young women could be raped and sexually assaulted”.
He said: “The acts that the defendants did together show callous indifference to the women they went after.
“In their minds, and this could not be clearer, the stream of women they brought to their homes existed purely to be pursued for sex.”
‘Waking from sleep’
The jury was told there are seven complainants against Mr Mendy, and eight against Mr Matturie, with two complainants alleging both men raped them with the average age of the women concerned being 20 years, nine months.
Mr Cray said key features included the pair targeting “women who were so drunk almost to the extent that they had little or no memory of the incidents, or were asleep, or they were waking from sleep”.
He said other similar features included Mr Mendy using an “intro line” that he just wanted to see the victim naked, and both defendants raping the same woman.
Mr Cray continued: “Our case is that the defendants’ pursuit of these 13 women turned them into predators, who were prepared to commit serious sexual offences.”
He said “the fact they would not take ‘no’ for an answer” would be something the jurors would “hear time and time again”.
The court heard how Mr Mendy’s home, The Spinney, in Mottram St Andrew in rural Cheshire, was “part and parcel” of how he and Mr Matturie were able to abuse the women.
Mr Cray said nine young women arrived at the address and afterwards made complaints of rape and, or sexual assault against the defendants between 2018 and 2021.
There are also four separate complaints against Mr Matturie involving allegations away from Mr Mendy’s house, in Manchester and Sheffield.
The women involved were vulnerable for a number of reasons once arriving at Mr Mendy’s house, which was described as an isolated mansion, the jury was told.
‘Panic room’
The court heard how they said they had their mobile phones taken away, while some believed they were in locked rooms.
The jury was shown drone footage with aerial shots from above Mr Mendy’s gated mansion.
Two of the women said Mr Mendy raped them in locked rooms – an office and the main bedroom – the court heard.
The jury was shown video footage of a police officer demonstrating the locks on the doors, as Mr Cray explained they were legitimately used by wealthy individuals.
These had a special locking mechanism which created a “panic room” in case of burglary, which can only be opened from the inside.
“The point is that you have to know how to open them from the inside, and you’ll perhaps see how the witnesses might have gotten the impression that they are locked in,” Mr Cray continued.
Mr Cray told the court how the defendants said in “broad terms” that all the women consented to sex willingly, with only a couple of allegations where there is a denial that anything sexual happened.
“Everyone should have that basic choice, that basic dignity, the right to say ‘no’ to sex,” he said.
“You don’t lose that right because you’ve been to a bar or dressed for a nightclub or gone to a footballer’s house.”
The trial, expected to last over three months, continues.
East Ham, East London — 8 August 2026: The vibrant Igbo community in the UK came together for an unforgettable evening of entertainment, culture and social connection at Igbotic Game Night, one of the biggest social gatherings celebrating the Igbo community in the United Kingdom.
Among the night’s standout moments was an electrifying performance by Afrobeats artist Obeena, who took the stage and immediately captured the attention of the crowd.
Obeena delivered performances of two of his hit songs, “Wara Wara” and “Banging,” bringing his energetic sound and distinctive stage presence to the event. From the opening moments of his set, fans responded with excitement, singing along, dancing and enthusiastically supporting the artist.
His performance of “Wara Wara” created an instant connection with the audience, while “Banging” took the energy to another level. Obeena’s ability to engage the crowd transformed his set into one of the most memorable entertainment moments of the evening.
Held in East Ham, East London, on 8 August 2026, Igbotic Game Night provided a unique platform for members of the Igbo community to celebrate their heritage while enjoying music, games and social interaction. Events such as this continue to play an important role in bringing together Nigerians and the wider African diaspora in the UK.
For Obeena, the performance was another opportunity to showcase his growing artistry and connect directly with fans. His energetic delivery, stage confidence and ability to command the audience demonstrated why his live performances continue to attract attention.
By the end of his set, Obeena had left the crowd amazed and added another memorable chapter to his journey as an Afrobeats artist. His appearance at Igbotic Game Night was not simply a performance—it was a celebration of Nigerian music, culture and community.
With performances like this, Obeena continues to demonstrate his ambition to take his sound beyond the studio and onto major stages, connecting with audiences through music, energy and an unmistakable African identity.
Igbotic Game Night brought the Igbo community together. Obeena gave them a performance to remember.
Audio
KenryWhite Releases “Kilometers” & “The King” A Powerful Double Release Celebrating Faith, Purpose, and the Journey to Greatness
Nigerian Afrofusion artist KenryWhite unveils his compelling two-track release, “Kilometers & The King,” a project that explores the realities of life’s journey while affirming identity, faith, and purpose.
Leading the release is “Kilometers,” an uplifting anthem that reflects on the distance between dreams and fulfillment. Through heartfelt lyrics, captivating melodies, and vibrant Afrobeats production, KenryWhite encourages listeners to embrace the process, remain resilient, and keep moving forward despite life’s challenges.
Complementing the project is “The King,” featuring Wonder J. The record is a bold declaration of confidence, royalty, and divine purpose, blending infectious Afrobeats rhythms with inspiring lyricism. Together, the duo delivers a record that celebrates self-belief, leadership, and the mindset required to overcome every obstacle.
With rich storytelling, memorable melodies, and contemporary African sounds, “Kilometers & The King” showcases KenryWhite’s artistic growth while delivering music that inspires, motivates, and connects with audiences across the globe.
Now available on all major streaming platforms, “Kilometers & The King” invites listeners to embrace the journey, recognize their worth, and walk confidently into their purpose.
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