Benjamin Mendy released on bail

Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy has been freed on bail ahead of his trial on rape charges.

Mendy, 27, accused of a series of serious sex offences against young women, was freed after a bail hearing at Chester Crown Court on Friday.

The French international has been in custody for 134 days, since first being arrested and charged on August 26 last year.

The footballer, held at HMP Altcourse, Liverpool before recently being transferred to HMP Manchester, was granted bail by Judge Patrick Thompson at a private hearing from which the press was excluded, while bail was discussed.

The defendant had been due to go on trial this month, but the trial has been put back to June 27 at the earliest.

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