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Man City star charged with rape ‘having meltdown’ after thinking he would be sent to VIP prison wing

Benjamin Mendy has been charged with four counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

The Manc The Manc - 1st September 2021

Manchester City star charged with rape has reportedly had “a meltdown” inside after thinking he would be sent to a VIP wing.

It was confirmed by police on Thursday that Benjamin Mendy had been charged with four counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

He was then remanded at Chester Magistrates’ court on Friday.

It has been reported that the footballer believed he would be allowed home after appearing in Chester Magistrates’ court, but was in shock when he was instead sent to HMP Altcourse – a Category A/B mens prison in Liverpool.

The Mirror reports that upon arrival at HMP Altcourse, Mendy was informed that he would be kept on the VP wing for vulnerable prisoners – but an exclusive report by The Sun claims that Mendy misheard and assumed that meant he would be taken to a VIP wing for celebrity figures.

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He was apparently in dismay when he realised that was not the case.

The 27-year-old left-back – who has played for Manchester City since 2017, joining from Monaco for a reported £52 million – is charged with three counts of rape in October 2020 and with the sexual assault of a woman in early January this year.

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He is also charged with raping a woman earlier this month.

Mendy was informed that he would be kept on the VP wing for vulnerable prisoners / Credit: Wikimedia Commons

A charge of breaking bail conditions – which was alleged to have occurred in August after he was released on 26 July – also appeared on the court list, but this was withdrawn in court.

It was revealed that fourteen reporters were in court for the hearing on Friday, where Mendy was represented by barrister Christopher Stables and he spoke to confirm his name, age and address.

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During the hearing – which was said to have lasted about an hour – Mendy was represented by barrister Christopher Stables, and spoke to confirm his name, age and address, before being taken from the court accompanied by two dock officers and showing “no emotion” as he left.

District Judge Jack McGarva sent the case to Chester Crown Court, where Mendy is due to appear on 10 September.

Mendy was suspended by Manchester City on Thursday after being charged by police, pending an investigation, and the club said in a statement: “Manchester City can confirm that following his being charged by police today, 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.”

Featured Image – Manchester City

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Amber heat-health warning issued as temperatures drop across the North West

Danny Jones Danny Jones amber heat health warning manchester north west

An amber health warning has been issued for the North West and other regions as temperatures continue to drop across the country.

Having already provided an update on the “possibility of snow” and the imminent cold snap earlier this week, the Met Office and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have now added a heat-health warning to their forecast for the new few days as things get increasingly colder across Great Britain.

With temperatures expected to reach as low as -5C by Friday, 29 November, the Met Office and UKHSA pushed out an amber heat-health alert on Wednesday, with the elderly, clinically vulnerable and the health sector in general said to be those most at risk.

Although the freezing weather obviously has the potential to affect everyone — with the likes of the North East and Northern Ireland having already been given a yellow weather warning as well — amber heat-health warnings are deemed to require an ‘enhanced response‘ as they are likely to significantly impact “across the whole health service” and possibly other sectors too.

The current heat-health alerts that have been issued for the UK. (Credit: gov.uk)

Under the relatively new CHA (cold-health alert) system, anything beyond a yellow level alert means that it is expected that there will be increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable populations and an increase in risk to health to individuals over the age of 65, those with pre-existing health conditions, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and other vulnerable groups like rough sleepers.

As well as the Met Office offering their verdict, the UKHSA’s Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection, Dr Agostinho Sousa, said: “With a risk of widespread overnight frosts and some snow across the country this week, it’s important to check in on the wellbeing of those most vulnerable to the cold.

“Cold weather can have a serious impact on health, particularly older people, and those with pre-existing health conditions, as it increases the risks of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections.

“If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over the age of 65, it is important to try and heat the rooms where you spend most of your time in[doors], such as your living room or bedroom.”

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For those considered to be at risk during this cold snap and amber-heat health warning, the official government-sanctioned advice is that if you can’t heat all the rooms in your home, it is important to heat the rooms you spend the (i.e. living room in the day and bedroom before going to sleep) to at least 18 degrees if possible.

They also recommend wearing a few thin layers instead of one thick layer, as the former is better at trapping heat than just one big jumper etc.

Other advice on how to stay safe during these colder periods includes stocking up on food and medicine, keeping windows closed and reducing draughts at home, as well as getting vaccinated against flu and COVID-19.

If you or someone you know is in need of help, you can get in touch with the NHS on 111 and if it is an emergency please call 999 immediately.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — The Manc Group

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Man jailed for raping and assaulting two women as they slept

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Alan Pickering has been jailed for the rape of two women as they slept

A man has been jailed after being convicted of raping and sexually assaulting two women while they were sleeping.

Alan Pickering, 40, from Wirral, has been sentenced to 15 years behind bars as well as four years on an extended license.

During the trial at Liverpool Crown Court, the court heard that his victims had woken up to find that Pickering was raping them, with neither giving their consent.

Both victims then repeatedly asked him to stop, but he continued to assault them.

His crimes took place between January 2004 and July 2020 on ‘multiple occasions’ in the Chester and Wirral areas.

Pickering, of Procter Road in Rock Ferry, had previously been found guilty of five counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault by penetration following an earlier trial.

The latest allegations against the man came to light in 2020 after a report was made to social services at Cheshire West and Chester, which was passed on to Cheshire Police.

In addition to his prison sentence, Pickering has also been ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life, and handed indefinite restraining orders against the victims.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Peel, who led the investigation, said: “Firstly I would like to commend the victims for the courage and bravery that they have shown throughout this case.

“I know that Pickering’s offending has had a hugely traumatic impact on the victims and having to give evidence during the trial was not easy for them.

“But thanks to the statements they gave, and the evidence we gathered, the jury we’re able to see through his lies and he is now finally being held accountable for his actions.”

Detective Constable Peel added: “Nobody should have to experience what these women have been though and if anything can be achieved from this case, I hope that it encourages other victims of sexual offences to come forward and report them to us. 

“We treat all reports extremely seriously, and any allegation will be thoroughly investigated, with the wishes and needs of the victim as our main priority.

“Victims should never feel ashamed to talk about what they have been subjected to. They will receive the help and support they need from our specialist officers, as well as from other support agencies we work alongside, and all victims of sexual offences have the right to anonymity.”

Cheshire Police said: “To report any sexual offence, call Cheshire Constabulary on 101 or visit https://www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/%20 .

“Information can also be given anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.”

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Featured image: Cheshire Police

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