By Tim Parsons-
Former Manchester United star Ryan Giggs, kicked his naked girlfriend out of a five-star hotel after a row over him flirting with other women, a court heard today.
The former Manchester United ace, 48, is accused of kicking his then-partner Kate Greville in the back at Stafford London – among of a string of assaults alleged to have taken place over almost three years.
The former Manchester United and Wales footballer, 48, “entirely lost his self-control” and attacked his then partner, Kate Greville, and elbowed her sister in the jaw during an argument about his alleged infidelity, jurors were told.
Prosecutor Peter Wright QC opened the case said of the defendant: “He was idolised by his adoring fans and supporters. On the pitch his skills were abundant and a thing of beauty.
“Off the pitch, in the privacy of his own personal life at home or behind closed doors, there was, we say the facts reveal, a much uglier and more sinister side to his character.
“This was a private life that involved a litany of abuse, both physical and psychological, of a woman he professed to love.
“A woman who, in reality, was, if the evidence is to be believed, treated in a way that cannot be excused or overlooked, by either an adoring public, or the law.
“This is a story of control and coercion of a woman who thought she was loved and respected; sadly the reality was very different.”
Litany Of Abuse
Jurors at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court were told the 48-year-old’s private life involved a “litany of abuse, both physical and psychological, of a woman he professed to love”.
Giggs is accused of using controlling and coercive behaviour against ex-girlfriend Kate Greville between August 2017 and November 2020.
He is also charged with assaulting the 36-year-old, causing her actual bodily harm, and of the common assault of her younger sister, Emma Greville, at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester, on November 1 2020.
Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard this includes threatening to send emails to Kate’s friends and employers about her sexual behaviour, as well as making unwanted calls when she tried to break off the relationship.
The former Wales boss also allegedly turned up unannounced and uninvited at her home, workplace and gym, and chucked her belongings out of his house when she asked him about his relationships with other women.
The fight at their home in Worsley, Greater Manchester, followed three years of “systematic and at times violent abuse” of Greville, 36, by the retired footballer, the jury heard.
Another email accused Greville of telling “LIES LIES LIES” and said: “Only an evil horrible cunt does that. Absolutely astonishing. Now I look an utter twat after telling three of my friends I’m going to Scotland at the weekend.” Giggs added: “I’m so fucking mad now I’m scaring myself because I could do anything.
The trial at Manchester Minshull Street crown court heard details of expletive-laden and threatening messages Giggs sent his former partner. One email, after Greville had blocked Giggs on social media, read: “Please unblock.
Giggs is charged with using controlling and coercive behaviour against Kate Greville, 36, between August 2017 and November 2020.
He is also accused of assaulting Ms Greville, causing her actual bodily harm, and of the common assault of her younger sister, Emma Greville, at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester, on 1 November 2020.
Alleged abuse victim:Kate Greville Image:twitter
Outlining its case, the prosecution said that the former Manchester United star was “idolised by adoring fans and supporters” but that his character had an ugly side and this was a “story of control and coercion”.
Peter Wright QC told jurors: “Off the pitch in the privacy of his own personal life at home or behind closed doors, there was, we say the facts reveal, a much uglier and more sinister side to his character.
“This was a private life that involved a litany of abuse, both physical and psychological, of a woman he professed to love.
“A woman who, in reality, was, if the evidence is to be believed, treated in a way that cannot be excused or overlooked, by either an adoring public or the law.
“This is a story of control and coercion of a woman who thought she was loved and respected; sadly, the reality was very different.
“Eventually, after years of turbulence, when the scales fell from her eyes, she realised she needed to remove herself from his sphere of influence.”
Loss Of Control
Mr Wright said the result of this decision to break off the relationship was the incident on 1 November 2020, when Giggs is alleged to have assaulted Ms Greville at his home in Worsley, along with the assault of her sister.
Giggs is alleged to have “lost control” and headbutted Ms Greville, Mr Wright told the jury.
While out together with friends at Manchester’s Stock Exchange Hotel that evening, Ms Greville decided to terminate their relationship, said Mr Wright.
He said: “She knew that the defendant had once again been cheating on her.
“During the evening the defendant’s behaviour towards her led to her making that decision and making an early departure. In advance of her return home, she informed her sister by text message of her plan.
“She intended to make her departure before he got back from the hotel. The plan did not work.
“As she was vacating the defendant’s home address, he came back and began arguing with her and trying to stop her leaving.”
The prosecutor said she took his phone as a “bargaining chip” to try to persuade him not to prevent her from going.
A heated argument followed and Giggs then attempted to grab her phone, which was later found on a fence post in the garden of the property, said Mr Wright.
‘Manipulative, toxic and damaging’
Commenting on the messages sent by Giggs, Mr Wright said: “This was a manipulative, toxic and damaging relationship from a man upon a woman.
“He sought to normalise his behaviour as an intense, passionate and loving relationship but we say it’s nothing of the sort. To do so is the system of subtle psychology of the gaslighter as opposed to the loving acts of a partner builty on mutual trust and respect. Controlling and coercive behaviour is a curse rather than a gift to a relationship.”