Ex-Manchester United star Ryan Giggs' retrial cancelled; prosecutors withdraw domestic violence charges

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Ryan Giggs’ retrial over domestic violence allegations has been cancelled. Charges were withdrawn against him by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) at a hearing at Manchester Crown Court. The former Manchester United player and football coach had been accused by his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville of attacking her and controlling or coercive behaviour between August 2017 to November 2020.

He had also been accused of assaulting Kate’s younger sister Emma. Ryan Giggs denied the allegations against him. The 49-year-old was to be tried for the charges for the second time.

However, the charges were withdrawn by the CPS on July 17, 2023. Prosecutor Peter Wright told the Manchester Crown Court that Kate Greville had indicated an “unwillingness" to provide evidence of assault in the case. The first trial itself had «taken its toll» on Kate and her sister, said the prosecutor, adding that it was «not a decision taken lightly» by her.

Wright further said there was «no realistic prospect of conviction on count one» – that of coercive and controlling behavior – 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». As per the report, the prosecutor concluded: «That being the case, we formally offer no evidence on counts one, two and three.» Therefore, Judge Hilary Manley pronounced Ryan Giggs not guilty. «I formally enter not guilty verdicts in respect of those counts.» Giggs had been accused of «losing control» and «headbutting his ex-girlfriend», and «elbowing her sister in the jaw».