Mendy spotted having coffee with pals ahead of trial for seven counts of rape

Manchester City's Benjamin Mendy has been spotted out for coffee with two friends whilst on bail for rape charges.

The Manchester City left-back visited a Costa Coffee and a butchers during the Cheshire area of Alderley Edge on Tuesday afternoon. He walked along the streets before he was driven home in a blacked out van. Mendy was pictured wearing tracksuit bottoms, a Supreme hoodie and white cap showing the three wise ms - "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil".

Mendy was released on bail in January after four months in prison for the alleged sex attacks. He has been accused of attacking six woman and is charged with seven counts of rape. The 27-year-old will appear at Chester Crown Court for a two-day pre-trial hearing starting on May 23 as requested by Judge Steven Everett, Recorder of Chester.

The City player is accused alongside Louis Saha Matturie, who is also on bail. The trial, set for July 25, is expected to last six weeks. Matturie, of Eccles, Salford, is accused of 10 offences, involving seven women, which includes seven counts of rape relating to five women and three of sexual assault. All the charges are alleged to have happened between late 2020 and August 2021.

Mendy appeared for a brief hearing in February, where the judge Mr Justice Thompson set the trial date. Mendy is yet to enter a plea to the charges. Then, Judge Thompson urged lawyers to ensure there is no delay. 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."

City suspended Mendy back in August after he was charged. A club statement read: "Manchester City can confirm that following his being charged by police today, Benjamin Mendy has been suspended pending an investigation." The Frenchman joined the Premier League side in 2017 from Monaco for a reported £52m.