The jurors within the rape trial of Manchester City participant Benjamin Mendy have been immediately quizzed on whether or not they knew 5 different stars.
The names of Raheem Sterling, Jack Grealish, Kyle Walker, Riyad Mahrez and John Stones – who all both play for or beforehand performed for City, have been learn to the panel of jurors at Chester Crown Court being chosen for the trial.
The potential jurors, chosen from a pool of 38, heard the checklist of people that could also be witnesses or might be referred to in the course of the trial and have been requested whether or not they had any connection to them or knew them personally.
They additionally heard the names of the complainants and have been requested if they’d any connections to Manchester City, Manchester United or police forces earlier than 12 have been chosen for the case.
Mendy denies eight counts of rape, one depend of sexual assault and one depend of tried rape. All the offences relate to seven ladies.
He will go on trial alongside along with his co-defendant Louis Saha Matturie, 40, who has additionally entered not responsible pleas to all prices he faces.
Matturie, of Eccles, Salford, denies eight counts of rape and 4 counts of sexual assault, referring to eight younger ladies.
Judge Steven Everett, Recorder of Chester, informed the jury this afternoon: ‘There are 22 counts or prices, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by that I can guarantee you’ll be having loads of help on how you’ll method that.
‘Don’t really feel daunted or overwhelmed by that. This trial might undergo to November’
Earlier Judge Everett informed the jury: ‘Maybe you’ve heard their names. Some of you’ll be conscious of the actual fact Mr Mendy is knowledgeable footballer who performs soccer for Manchester City.’
All the offences are alleged to have taken place at his dwelling handle and span between October 2018 and August final yr.
His alleged offences span July 2012 to August final yr.
Mendy has performed for Manchester City since 2017, when he joined from Monaco for a reported £52 million.He was suspended by the membership after being charged by police.