Benjamin Mendy rape case: not-guilty verdicts came down to question of consent

It was largely agreed sexual activity took place, so footballer’s defence focused on women’s actions after the fact

In some ways, the trial of Benjamin Mendy was not complex. Even the prosecution barrister, Timothy Cray KC, said it was “the opposite of a whodunnit”. For all of the rape charges he faced, both sides agreed that sexual activity had taken place. The question was: did the women consent?

On charges relating to four of his accusers, the jury decided unanimously that he was not guilty of rape and sexual assault. They could not reach verdicts on two outstanding counts, of attempting to rape one woman and of raping another.