By Tony O’Reilly-
Criminal charges against former Manchester United player, Ryan Giggs’ retrial over domestic violence allegations has been abandoned.
The charges were withdrawn by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) at a hearing at Manchester Crown Court. Prosecutor Peter Wright KC told Manchester Crown Court that Ms Greville had “indicated an unwillingness” to give evidence.
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Giggs was due to go on trial accused of attacking and controlling his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville, and assaulting her younger sister, Emma.
He was accused of “losing control” and headbutting Ms Greville – and elbowing her sister in the jaw – during a row at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester, on 1 November 2020.
The hearing was to be the second time the 49-year-old was tried over the claims.
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Giggs was also charged with the common assault of Ms Greville’s younger sister Emma. The Red Devils legend denied all allegations against him.
Speaking on the charges being dropped, Peter Wright KC, prosecuting, told Manchester Crown Court that Giggs’ ex-girlfriend Kate Greville had “indicated an unwillingness” to give evidence in a re-trial. He said giving evidence in the first trial had “taken its toll” on her and her sister Emma.
Mr Wright said: “This is not a decision taken lightly.”
He said there was “no realistic prospect of conviction” on count one, that of coercive and controlling behaviour, and it was “no longer in the public interest” to proceed to prosecute on the other charges of assault on Miss Greville and her sister.
The Manchester United legend was on trial for assaulting, causing actual bodily harm to, and using controlling and coercive behaviour against his former partner, Kate Greville
He added: “That being the case, we formally offer no evidence on counts one, two and three,” to which Judge Hilary Manley replied: “I formally enter not guilty verdicts in respect of those counts.”
Giggs had been accused of “losing control” and headbutting his ex-girlfriend on November 1, 2020. It was also alleged he elbowed her sister in the jaw on the same night during a row at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester.
Chris Daw KC, defending Giggs, who was not present in court, said: “Mr Giggs is deeply relieved the prosecution has finally come to an end after almost three years in which he’s been fighting throughout to clear his name.
“He has always been innocent of these charges, there’s been very, very many lies told about him in court. He’s now been found not guilty of all the charges and going forward would like to rebuild his life and career as an innocent man.”
The 12-member jury was instructed to consider its verdict on August 23, 2022 after a one-month trial. However, one juror was discharged due to illness.
Judge Manley told the court she would accept a majority verdict where at least 10 of the 11 remaining jurors agreed. After deliberating for almost 23 hours, the jury of seven women and four men failed to agree verdicts on any of the charges.
It was then ruled last September that Giggs would face a retrial, which the former Wales national team manager said “disappointed” him.
Mr Wright said there was no realistic prospect of conviction on count one, that of coercive and controlling behaviour, and it was no longer in the public interest to proceed to prosecute on the other charges of assault on Miss Greville and her sister.
He added: “That being the case, we formally offer no evidence on counts one, two and three.”
Judge Hilary Manley formally entered not guilty verdicts in respect of those counts.
Chris Daw KC, defending Giggs, who was not present in court, said his client was “deeply relieved the prosecution has finally come to an end after almost three years in which he’s been fighting throughout to clear his name”.
“He has always been innocent of these charges, there’s been very, very many lies told about him in court,” he said.
“He’s now been found not guilty of all the charges and going forward would like to rebuild his life and career as an innocent man.”
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