'Friend of ex-City player sexually assaulted woman'

A WOMAN claimed she was sexually assaulted by Benjamin Mendy's friend, Louis Saha Matturie, after being invited to a party at the exManchester City player's home, a jury heard yesterday

- ANDREW BARDSLEY

Mr Matturie denies sexual offences alleged by three separate women.

He has pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault. Jurors at Chester Crown Court heard that Mr Matturie, 42, had previously gone on trial alongside Mr Mendy.

He was acquitted of some allegations, but jurors were unable to reach verdicts on other counts.

On the second day of Mr Matturie's trial, jurors were told of an allegation made by a complainant, known as Woman Three, who claimed she was sexually assaulted by Mr Matturie during a party at Mr Mendy's home in Cheshire. She told how she was invited to Mr Mendy's home by a friend in July 2021.

Woman Three said she met Mr Matturie there for the first time.