A lady who accused Premier League footballer Benjamin Mendy of rape denied having “a thoughts to use for compensation” after reportedly looking on-line for his “price”, a jury has heard.
The girl, who alleges she was raped by the Manchester Metropolis left-back and former French nationwide participant at his dwelling in July 2021, was stated to have made the search days earlier than talking to police informally and simply over two weeks earlier than she gave an announcement to officers.
The alleged rape is alleged to have taken place when the 28-year-old participant and the lady have been alone in a cinema room throughout a celebration at his mansion, The Spinney in Mottram St Andrew, Cheshire.
Chester Crown Court docket heard the lady is alleged to have made the search months after the alleged incident, following media protection of different allegations by completely different ladies which had prompted police to contact her.
Eleanor Legal guidelines QC, representing Mendy, requested the lady: “Why would you be trying to find Mr Mendy’s price earlier than making an announcement?”
The lady replied: “On what date did I do this?
Ms Legal guidelines stated: “Why would you be all in favour of what he was price on January 17?”
The lady answered: “I wasn’t significantly however he was headlines and stuff… clearly I’m going to Google him.”
Ms Legal guidelines QC continued: “Have you ever a thoughts to use for compensation sooner or later?”
The lady responded: “No, and I haven’t executed.”
Prosecutor Timothy Cray QC requested why she selected to offer proof to the police months after the alleged rape.
She stated: “Properly, seeing the headlines on a regular basis, being reminded of it, I knew whether or not to say something or not say something, going to the police was an enormous scary factor to do however once they approached me I informed them every thing they usually stated I had the selection to return ahead or not.”
Mr Cray then requested her if she informed an unfaithful model of occasions to assist different women who had made allegations.
She replied: “I might not put myself by means of this if that was the case.”
Mendy denies eight counts of rape, one depend of tried rape and one depend of sexual assault towards seven younger ladies.
His co-accused, Louis Saha Matturie, the footballer’s good friend and fixer, is alleged to have had the job of discovering younger ladies for intercourse.
The 41-year-old, of Eccles, Salford, denies eight counts of rape and 4 counts of sexual assault referring to eight younger ladies.
Each males say any intercourse was consensual.
The trial continues.