Ryan Giggs’ retrial on charges of domestic violence will not go ahead this month after prosecutors pulled out of the case.
Former Manchester United player, Giggs, was due to go on trial for a second time starting July 31, after he was accused of controlling or coercive behavior toward his former girlfriend, Kate Greville, between 2017 and 2020.
Giggs was also accused of assaulting her as well as assaulting Greville’s sister, Emma, during an argument at his home outside Manchester on November 2020.
He was put on trial for a month after denying the allegations, but the jury was unable to return a verdict, therefore the case was dismissed in August.
The Crown Prosecution Service will not be moving further with the case since Kate Greville had pleaded not guilty. Prosecutor Peter Wright informed Manchester Crown Court on Tuesday.
The prosecution of the other allegations of assault against Greville and her sister was no longer in the public interest, according to Wright, who also claimed that there was no realistic chance of conviction on the charge of coercive and controlling behavior.
“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 “relieved the prosecution has finally come to an end after almost three years . “He has always been innocent of these charges,” Daw said. “There’s been very, very many lies told about him in court.”
Giggs won 13 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues and made 963 appearances in his 23-year playing career at United.
He stepped down as coach of the Wales national team last June, saying he didn’t want to jeopardise preparations for the World Cup that took place in November and December in Qatar.