By Lucy Caulkett-
Ryan Giggs will go on trial for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend next year. The 48-year-old former Wales manager is also accused of controlling and coercive behaviour towards his ex Kate Greville, 36.
The ex football ace is also accused of assaulting Ms Greville’s younger sister Emma on the same night he is said to have assaulted Ms Greville in November 2020. The alleged assaults took place at the couple’s home in Worsley, Greater Manchester.
Giggs denied all three charges. His barrister, Chris Daw QC, told his first trial last month that they were based on “distortion, exaggeration and lies” and that Giggs had never used violence against a woman, or sought to restrict Greville’s social life, holidays or career. He also denied “losing control” and headbutting her and assaulting Ms Greville’s sister, Emma, 26, by elbowing her in the jaw during a row at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester on 1 November 2020.
Giggs was not present at court on Wednesday as the prosecutor, Peter Wright QC, confirmed that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) would seek a retrial in 11 months.
Wright told the judge that the case had been considered “at a senior level” by the CPS and that “we do seek a retrial in respect of Mr Giggs”.
Wright said the complainant, Giggs’s former partner Kate Greville, had also indicated that she was prepared to give evidence in a new trial.
The new trial is due to begin on 31 July, almost a year after the start of his first trial and more than two and a half years after Giggs was arrested on 1 November 2020.
The judge said Giggs would remain on bail and that he was “well aware” of its conditions. He was not required to attend court for a pre-trial hearing on 3 July 2023.
The former footballer said he was “disappointed” at the decision, which came at a hearing held this morning at Manchester Crown Court.
Jurors in his first trial were discharged last week after failing to reach verdicts following nearly 23 hours of deliberations.
At a mention hearing this morning, which Giggs did not attend but was represented by a barrister, the CPS confirmed it was going for a retrial.
The ex-Manchester United star was also charged with the common assault of Ms Greville’s younger sister, Emma.
He was accused of deliberately headbutting Ms Greville at his house in Worsley, Greater Manchester, on the evening of 1 November 2020.
The former Wales manager was also accused of deliberately elbowing her sister Emma in the jaw during the alleged incident.
Peter Wright QC, prosecuting, told Judge Hilary Manley: “We do seek a retrial in respect of Mr Giggs.
“The matter has been considered at a senior level within the Crown Prosecution Service, and also the willingness of the complainant to give evidence, although that is not determinative on the matter, has also been canvassed.
“They indicate a preparedness so to do.
“Consequently we do invite you to fix a date for the retrial of this matter.”
Justice
In his statement, Giggs expressed confidence of justice being done in the end, which was ironic considering his girlfriend would claim to be seeking justice.
He said he was “obviously disappointed” that a retrial had been ordered.
“My not guilty plea remains in relation to all charges,” the 48-year-old said.
“I am confident that justice will eventually be done and my name will be cleared of all the allegations.
“I would like to thank my legal team, my mum, my children, my girlfriend Zara, as well as my closest friends, for their support throughout this period.
“I understand the level of interest and the scrutiny around this case but I would like to ask that my and my family’s privacy is respected in the weeks and months ahead.”
Prosecutor Peter Wright QC said: “The matter was listed for the Crown to indicate whether they sought a retrial in respect of Mr Giggs.Play Video
“We do seek a retrial in respect of Mr Giggs. The matter has been considered at a senior level within the CPS and also the willingness of the complainant to give evidence again, although that is not determinative of the matter, has also been canvassed and there is no indication to the contrary as far as that’s concerned.”
Ryan Giggs, in a statement responding to a judge’s decision he is to face a re-trial on domestic violence charges, said: “After more than three weeks in court I am obviously disappointed that a retrial has been ordered.
“My not guilty plea remains in relation to all charges. I am confident that justice will eventually be done and my name will be cleared of all the allegations.
“I would like to thank my legal team, my mum, my children, my girlfriend Zara, as well as my closest friends, for their support throughout this period.
“I understand the level of interest and the scrutiny around this case, but I would like to ask that my and my family’s privacy is respected in the weeks and months ahead.”