Ryan Giggs is cleared of domestic violence charges as ex declines to give evidence at retrial: Prosecutors drop case against former Man United star who was accused of coercive control against Kate Greville, and of assaulting her and her sister during row

Ryan Giggs was sensationally acquitted this morning of assaulting his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville after she refused to cooperate with a new trial.

The ex-Manchester United footballer, 49, was charged with assault with actual bodily harm resulting from an alleged headbutt on Ms Greville, 38, plus further counts of coercive or controlling behavior against her and common assault against her sister Emma.

But during a 10-minute court hearing, the prosecution offered no evidence and Judge Hilary Manley said, “I am formally pronouncing not guilty verdicts on each of the three charges.”

Giggs’ attorney Chris Daw KC said his client “looks forward to rebuilding his life and career as an innocent man.”

Jurors had failed to reach a verdict last year after an original 11-day trial after 22 hours and 59 minutes of deliberation. A new trial was scheduled to begin on July 31.

Giggs pleaded not guilty to controlling or coercive conduct towards his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville (pictured), 38, over a three-year period between August 2017 and November 2020.

The decision not to proceed was revealed at the brief pre-trial review hearing at Manchester Crown Court on Tuesday morning, with neither Giggs nor Ms Greville present.

Prosecutor Peter Wright KC said the original trial over the alleged attack on Giggs’ home in November 2020 was “a process that has taken its toll” on public relations consultant Ms Greville and her sister.

He said Ms Greville had shown ‘reluctance’ to testify in a new trial as it had ‘taken its toll’ on her and her sister in the first trial.

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

He said there was no realistic prospect of a conviction on count one, that of coercive and controlling conduct, and that it was no longer in the public interest to prosecute the other allegations of assault against Ms Greville and her sister .

He added: “If that is the case, we are not formally providing evidence for points one, two and three.”

Judge Hilary Manley responded, “I am formally executing not guilty verdicts in respect of those counts.”

Earlier, Mr Wright told the court that the case had a “long history” and that the well-being of the complainants is “at the center of the decision-making process”.

Mr Wright said there had been ‘prolonged’ efforts to find out why she was unwilling to participate in a second trial, but the prosecution’s lawyers felt it was not appropriate to issue a witness call to compel her for testify a second time.

Chris Daw KC, defending Giggs, who was not present in court, said: ‘Mr. Giggs is deeply relieved that the prosecution has finally ended after nearly three years of fighting all the way to clear his name.

During Giggs’ time at Old Trafford, Manchester United won 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, four FA Cups and three League Cups. (Pictured: Giggs in 2004 after scoring for Manchester United against Spurs)

“He has always been innocent of these charges, many, many lies have been told about him in court.

“He has now been found not guilty of all charges and wants to rebuild his life and career as an innocent man in the future.”

A CPS spokesperson said today: “At all stages we are closely monitoring matters to ensure our legal test is met. This means that there must be a realistic prospect of conviction based on the available evidence and that prosecution is in the public interest.

“Following a recent change in circumstances in this case, we have determined that our legal test is no longer met.

“We have determined that there is no longer sufficient evidence available to proceed with the controlling or compulsive conduct charge and that it is no longer in the public interest to prosecute the remaining assault charges.

“This decision has been taken after extensive discussions with Greater Manchester Police and consultations with the complainants.

During Giggs’ time at Old Trafford, Manchester United won 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, four FA Cups and three League Cups. In the photo in 2009

“It is not the role of the CPS to decide whether someone is guilty of a criminal offense, but to make fair, independent and objective assessments as to whether it is appropriate to bring an indictment for review by the criminal court.

“We encourage potential victims to report to the police and we will prosecute where our legal test is passed.”

During Giggs’ time at Old Trafford, Manchester United won 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, four FA Cups and three League Cups.

Giggs stepped down as manager of the Wales national team after a period of leave since November 2020.

He won 64 caps for Wales and co-owns League Two side Salford.