Manchester City's Benjamin Mendy charged with another attempted rape

Benjamin Mendy will stand trial accused of rape and sexual assault on July 25.

He also faces a new allegation of attempted rape after appearing in the dock at Chester Crown Court, where a judge ruled that the new charge the France international faces can now be reported.

Mendy faced a new attempted rape charge at his pre-trial hearing involving a new complainant. He is now accused of nine offences in all relating to six women.

They include seven counts of rape relating to four women, one of sexual assault and the latest charge, one of attempted rape involving a new complainant.

Mendy appeared for a brief hearing on Wednesday morning, where the judge Mr Justice Thompson set the trial date.

Judge Thompson set a further pre-trial hearing for March 11. Mendy is yet to enter a plea to the charges.

Judge Thompson also urged lawyers to ensure there is no delay and that the case will be ready with the trial estimated to last up to six weeks.

He said: "It's not fair on the complainants and not fair on the defendants.

"I'm conscious of the fact that the complainants have already suffered significant delay.

"Say, for example, Mr Mendy, his career is on hold. Everyone has got to understand Mr Mendy can't go to work. This matter needs to be tried."

Mendy sat alongside a French interpreter and his co-defendant, Louis Saha Matturie.

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.

None of the woman involved can be identified by law as complainants of sexual offences.

Both defendants were given bail in January after being in custody since both were first arrested on August 26 last year.

At the end of Wednesday's 90-minute hearing, Judge Thompson told both defendants: "You will next be required to attend on Friday the 11th of March.

"You both have your bail on conditions as before."

Mendy nodded and replied: "OK."

France international Mendy has played for City since 2017 having joined from Monaco in a £52million transfer.