A Premier League football star arrived at court today in a prison van.
Benjamin Mendy, 27, who plays for Manchester City, is accused of attacking three women over ten months and is also facing a single sexual assault charge.
The defender, who moved to the reigning champions for a reported £52million four years ago, arrived at Chester Magistrates' Court in a GeoAmey van this morning.
The DAF van was given an escort by a Peugeot 308 police car before driving into the court building through an open red shutter door which was then closed behind it.
The French international earns £90,000 a week and lives in a £5million mansion in Prestbury, an upmarket village near Manchester popular with fellow players.
He has also been suspended by Manchester City, the club announced last night.
Sportsmail revealed in November that a Premier League star had been arrested on suspicion of rape, but was unable to reveal his identity for legal reasons.
Yesterday, a spokesman for Cheshire Constabulary said the Crown Prosecution Service had authorised the force to charge Mendy in connection with the alleged sex attacks, which involve three female complainants over the age of 16.
The spokesman said: 'Benjamin Mendy, aged 27, has been charged with four counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
'The charges relate to three complainants over the age of 16 and are alleged to have taken place between October 2020 and August 2021.
'Mendy, of Prestbury, has been remanded in police custody and is set to appear at Chester Magistrates' Court on Friday 27 August.'
He added: 'Cheshire Constabulary and the Crown Prosecution Service would like to remind everyone that criminal proceedings against Mendy are live and that he has a right to a fair trial.
'It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice ongoing proceedings.'
Mendy was part of France's World Cup winning squad in 2018, but did not play in the final. He has made 75 appearances for City since signing from Monaco in 2017.
He played in City's first two games this season but was on the bench for last weekend's league win over Norwich City.
Last night Manchester City issued a statement, saying: 'Manchester City can confirm that, following his being charged by police, 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.'
Buschester-United
501
Prison FC is better than Arsenal at this point don’t worry about Mendy he’ll be on bench he’s not good enough to be in this line up 😂😂
Bond00747
424
A time this year, there was an Everton player who was charge of child sex also. He was never treated this way,infact his case has been covered and we the masses has not heard any further news. Mtcheww Racism everywhere.
babypian
221
Benjamin Mendy Collection Is Just Unreal[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Amanda-
44
I don’t understand why an accused was brought to a Magistrates’ Court in a prison van 🚐 when he’s not yet proven guilty? Racist in the UK 🇬🇧 it at the highest level. Racist is coming home that’s the real slogan they should be saying, definitely not soccer ⚽️ is coming home.