Ryan Giggs’ retrial, scheduled for later this month, regarding domestic violence allegations has been called off. The former Manchester United and Wales footballer had been accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville, engaging in controlling or coercive behavior, and assaulting her younger sister, Emma.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) withdrew the charges on Tuesday, citing Greville’s unwillingness to testify as a key factor. Prosecutor Peter Wright informed Manchester Crown Court that the previous trial had taken a toll on both Greville and her sister, and the decision to withdraw the charges was not made lightly.
Wright stated that there was no realistic chance of conviction on the count of coercive and controlling behavior and that it was no longer in the public interest to proceed with prosecuting the charges of assault. Consequently, the CPS offered no evidence on counts one, two, and three.
Judge Hilary Manley responded by formally entering not guilty verdicts on those counts.
Giggs had previously faced trial last summer, accused of assaulting Greville, causing actual bodily harm, and engaging in controlling and coercive behavior between August 2017 and November 2020. He was also charged with common assault against Greville’s sister.
During the trial, it was alleged that Giggs had headbutted his ex-girlfriend and elbowed her sister in the jaw during an altercation at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester, on November 1, 2020.
After a month-long trial, the jury, comprising seven women and four men, was sent out to deliberate on August 23, 2022. However, one juror was discharged due to illness, and the remaining jurors failed to reach a verdict after deliberating for nearly 23 hours.
In September of that year, it was decided that Giggs would face a retrial, a decision that he expressed disappointment with. Throughout the proceedings, Giggs has consistently denied the allegations against him.
Giggs stepped down as manager of the Wales national team in September 2020 following a period of leave that began in November 2020. During his career, Giggs earned 64 caps for Wales, scored 114 goals for Manchester United over a 24-year period, and currently co-owns League Two side Salford.
Source – skysports.com
