>
Ex-Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs arrived at court today to face trial accused of attacking and controlling his ex-girlfriend and assaulting her sister.
Flanked by his legal team, Giggs stared ahead as he made his way through a huddle of photographers at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court at 9.15am.
The 48-year-old is charged with assaulting his former girlfriend, PR executive Kate Greville, 37, and causing her actual bodily harm on November 1, 2020, at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester.
He also faces a charge of controlling and coercive behaviour towards Ms Greville throughout their relationship, which began in 2017 and ended with the alleged assault.
The charge specifies that his behaviour towards Ms Greville included the use of ‘isolation, belittling, humiliation, harassment, degradation and abuse’.
Ex-Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs has arrived at court this morning and is set to face trial today accused of attacking his ex-girlfriend and her sister
Giggs (left), 48, is accused of using controlling and coercive behaviour against Kate Greville (right), 36, between August 2017 and November 2020. He is also charged with assaulting Ms Greville, causing her actual bodily harm, and of the common assault of her younger sister, Emma Greville, at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester, on November 1 2020. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges
Later, Giggs, wearing a dark suit, white shirt and tie, stood in the dock and identified himself to the clerk as the judge came into court shortly before 11am.
A jury to hear the trial will be selected later before the trial begins with the prosecution opening by Peter Wright QC.
Some 30 reporters filled the public gallery for the start of proceedings, with more watching remotely on a video link.
Last year, a court heard that Giggs allegedly kicked Ms Greville in the back before throwing her out of a five-star hotel bedroom naked after she accused him of flirting with other women.
The Welshman is further charged with common assault of her younger sister, Emma Greville, on the same day.
Giggs was arrested by police at his home in November 2020 and released on bail.
He has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty at an initial court appearance in April last year.
Giggs (pictured arriving at court this morning) was arrested by police at his home in November 2020 and released on bail.
Pictured: Kate Greville was seen walking her dog back in November 2020
Flanked by his legal team, Giggs stared ahead as he made his way through a huddle of photographers at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court at 9.15am
The former Manchester United and Wales International Footballer was due to face trial in January, but the hearing was put back due to the ongoing backlog of court cases exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Lat week, it was feared the hearing could be delayed again due to the discovery of asbestos in Manchester Crown Court’s basement.
Arrangements for the case were finalised on Thursday after Judge Hilary Manley ruled the 10-day trial would start from today at the city’s other crown court, Manchester Minshull Street, before it transfers to Manchester Crown Court on Tuesday for the remainder of the proceedings.
HM Courts and Tribunals Service said Manchester Crown Court would be temporarily closed due to a ‘building issue’.
A number of cases were later switched from the Crown Square building to Minshull Street and also Bolton Crown Court.
In a brief hearing at Minshull Street last week, Judge Manley said jurors would be sworn in on Monday, with the prosecution opening to follow.
Barristers in the case appeared remotely to deal with the preparatory matters, while Giggs was not required to attend.
Last month, he stood down as manager of the Wales national team following a period of leave since November 2020.
Arrangements for the case were finalised last week in the wake of Manchester Crown Court (pictured) closing due to testing for asbestos
In a statement, he said he did not want the country’s preparations for this year’s World Cup in Qatar to be ‘affected, destabilised or jeopardised in any way by the continued interest around this case’.
Giggs met Ms Greville in 2013 after she helped promote his Hotel Football venue, launched with ex-United teammate Gary Neville.
He divorced his wife Stacey in December 2017 and they finalised a £40million settlement after he cheated on her with model and Big Brother star Imogen Thomas during their 10-year marriage.
Giggs found love again with lingerie model, Zara Charles, 33, who has ‘supported’ him through the charges.
During Giggs’ time at Old Trafford, Manchester United won 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, four FA Cups and three League Cups.
He won 64 caps for Wales and is co-owner of League Two side Salford City.