The jury in Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy’s rape trial has been instructed to query the credibility of their accusers.
In her closing speech, defence lawyer Lisa Wilding KC highlighted behaviours from accusers that have been “inconsistent” with an allegation of rape.
She spoke concerning the proof of 1 complainant, a 19-year-old lady, who instructed jurors from the witness field that 28-year-old Mendy and co-accused Louis Saha Matturie had raped her.
But cell phone proof emerged through the 16-week trial at Chester Crown Court of her having “enthusiastic” intercourse with Matturie on an event she claimed she was being raped.
Jurors within the trial have been directed to search out each males not responsible of these prices towards them.
Ms Wilding stated: “She sat in this courtroom and looked you in the eye and gave what would have, perhaps, been a compelling and convincing account of being raped multiple times by these two men.
“Like so lots of the witnesses on this case, she is caught up in a tangled net of connections and contacts and information.
She added: “Why is that important?
“Because of collusion. You have to contemplate in respect of every of the ladies who got here to this courtroom to offer proof, is their proof dependable? Is their proof strong?
“This case rests on the credibility of witnesses. People lie.”
The defence lawyer went on to say that two different complainants, who additionally knew one another, additionally made “remarkably similar” allegations that Matturie had raped them each after they have been sleeping.
Ms Wilding then instructed jurors concerning the account of one other lady, aged, 23, who claimed 40-year-old Matturie raped her at 5.30am in Mendy’s Mercedes automotive whereas travelling to an area storage to purchase extra alcohol for a celebration on the footballer’s home.
She later stayed the evening at Mendy’s home and had intercourse with three different males, Ms Wilding stated, and when she left the footballer’s mansion at 10.03am, despatched a textual content to a pal saying: “Hahaha I have slept with Jack Grealish.”
Ms Wilding stated such behaviour is “inconsistent” with an allegation of rape.
She stated this case was “inextricably linked” to that of a 17-year-old who has accused each Mendy and Matturie of raping her twice that very same evening.
Voice messages despatched to her mates shortly after hear her describe the social gathering because the “best night of my life”, which Ms Wilding stated is “not a reflection of someone who has been raped”.
Prosecutors instructed the jury that Mendy lured younger girls into “toxic and dangerous” conditions the place they have been raped and sexually assaulted.
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They stated the assaults passed off at a flat he rented in Manchester metropolis centre, in addition to his residence, The Spinney, in Mottram St Andrew, within the Cheshire countryside, which he used for “after-parties” together with common lockdown-busting gatherings.
Matturie has been accused of being a “fixer” to convey women again to the events after nights out in VIP lounges at Manchester nightclubs.
Both males declare any intercourse with girls was consensual.
Premier League star Mendy denies seven counts of rape, one depend of tried rape and one depend of sexual assault towards six younger girls.
Matturie, from Salford, denies six counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault towards seven younger girls.
The trial was adjourned till Tuesday morning.
Source: information.sky.com”