Ryan Giggs cleared in home violence case after prosecutors pull out of retrial

Former Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs’ retrial on costs of home violence is not going to go forward this month after prosecutors pulled out of the case.

Giggs, one of many biggest modern-day gamers in British soccer, was on account of go on trial for a second time beginning July 31, accused of controlling or coercive conduct towards his former girlfriend, Kate Greville, between August 2017 and November 2020.

Giggs was additionally accused of assaulting her in addition to assaulting Greville’s sister, Emma, throughout an argument at his house exterior Manchester on November 2020.

He denied the offenses and underwent a month-long trial, ending in August when the jury failed to succeed in any verdicts.

Two weeks earlier than the scheduled begin of the retrial, prosecutor Peter Wright advised Manchester Crown Court on Tuesday that the Crown Prosecution Service wouldn’t be continuing with the case as a result of Kate Greville had “indicated an unwillingness” to present proof as a result of doing so within the first trial had “taken its toll” on her and her sister.

“This is not a decision taken lightly,” Wright said.

Giggs wasn’t in court Tuesday.

Wright said there was no realistic prospect of conviction on the charge of coercive and controlling behavior, and that it was no longer in the public interest to proceed to prosecute on the other charges of assault on Greville and her sister.

“I formally enter not guilty verdicts in respect of those counts,” judge Hilary Manley said.

Chris Daw, who was defending Giggs, 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,” Daw said. “There’s been very, very many lies told about him in court.”

In a 23-year enjoying profession at United, Giggs gained 13 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues and made 963 appearances.

He stood down as coach of the Wales nationwide workforce final June, saying he did not need to jeopardize preparations for the World Cup that came about in November and December in Qatar. He had been on go away since November 2021.