Second man charged with rape offences in Benjamin Mendy investigation

Police have charged a second man in relation to the series of rape allegations involving Manchester City star Benjamin Mendy.

The French full-back is facing charges of four counts of rape and one of sexual assault following incidents which allegedly took place between October 2020 and August 2021.

It was confirmed late last month that another suspect had been arrested.

Now Louis Saha Matturie, 40, has been charged and appeared at Chester Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Matturie of Edwin Road, Eccles, Manchester, will be remanded in custody.

A spokesman for the Cheshire Police said: "A Chesire Police spokesman said: "The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has authorised Cheshire Constabulary to charge a second man in connection with allegations of sexual assault.

Manchester City star Benjamin Mendy is facing charges of rape and sexual assault

"Louis Saha Matturie, aged 40, has been charged with four counts of rape.

"The charges relate to three complainants over the age of 16 and are alleged to have taken place between April 2021 and August 2021.

"Matturie, of Eccles, has been remanded in custody."

Both Matturie and Mendy are due to appear in Chester Crown Court this coming Friday.

Mendy has been in custody in HMP Althorpe since his initial hearing last month.

He was suspended by Man City after being charged by police pending investigation.

A statement from his club read: "Manchester City can confirm that following his being charged by police today, Benjamin Mendy has been suspended pending an investigation.

"The matter is subject to a legal process and the Club is therefore unable to make further comment until that process is complete."

The charges relate to three different complainants.

Mendy is accused of raping a woman last October, sexual assault in January and allegedly raping a teenager over the age of 16 last month.