Ryan Giggs cleared of assault charges levelled by ex-girlfriend
Ryan Giggs, a former player for Manchester United and the manager of Wales, has been exonerated of charges that he assaulted his ex-girlfriend and her sister.
It follows the Crown Prosecution Service’s (CPS) decision to drop the charges after a hearing at Manchester Crown Court.
Giggs, 48, has consistently denied assaulting Kate Greville, 38, or using coercive or controlling behaviour against Emma Greville.
Judge Hilary Manley ruled that he was not guilty on all three counts.
The retrial had been due to start at Manchester Crown Court on 31 July.
His trial in August last year lasted four weeks, and after more than 20 hours of discussion, the jury could not reach a judgement.
Giggs did not appear in court on Tuesday.
Manchester Crown Court was informed by prosecutor Peter Wright KC that the CPS was no longer pursuing the case.
He stated that because testifying in the initial trial had “taken its toll” on Greville and her sister, she had “indicated an unwillingness” to do so in the retrial.
Mr Wright said: “This is not a decision taken lightly.
“In this case, Ms Greville and her sister Emma gave evidence over a number of days in a case when there was considerable media and public interest, and it is that particularly that’s taken its toll on them, in particular Kate Greville.”
The prosecuting attorneys did not believe it was appropriate to issue a witness summons to compel her to give evidence a second time, according to Mr Wright, who claimed that “protracted” efforts had been made to determine why she was unwilling to cooperate with a second trial.
The prosecution of the additional charges of assault against Greville and her sister was no longer in the public interest, he claimed, and there was no realistic chance of a conviction on count one of coercive and controlling behaviour.
His defence barrister, Chris Daw KC, said: “Mr Giggs is deeply relieved that the case has finally come to an end after almost three years of fighting to clear his name.
“He now intends to rebuild his life and career as an innocent man.”
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