Man City's Mendy granted bail in rape and sexual assault case

Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy has been released from prison on bail.

The 27-year-old has been charged with rape and sexual assault,

The France international faces seven counts of rape and one of sex assault after he was accused of attacking five women between October 2020 and August 2021.

Mr Mendy, who attended a hearing at Chester Crown Court, had been held in custody since his arrest in August.

He had been due to go on trial this month but it has now been put back to June at the earliest.

Mr Mendy, from Prestbury in Cheshire, was granted bail until 24 January for a further pre-trial hearing.

Trial Judge Patrick Thompson however directed Mr Mendy to live at his home address, not contact complainants and surrender his passport to authorities of which he agreed.

The alleged offences include three counts of rape said to have happened on 11 October 2020, sexual touching on 2 January last year, two counts of rape on 24 July and two counts of rape on 23 August.

The left-back joined the incumbent Premier League champions from Monaco in 2017 for a reported £52m.

He was first arrested and charged with offences on 26 August and had been denied bail on three occasions since.

He was suspended by Manchester City following the charges.