Former footballer Ryan Giggs has been formally cleared of all charges related to domestic violence after his ex-partner indicated an unwillingness to continue with the case. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced the withdrawal of charges and abandoned plans for a retrial during a pre-trial review at Manchester Crown Court.
Giggs, 49, who served as the Wales manager and was a former Manchester United winger, had denied allegations of controlling or coercive behavior towards his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville, as well as charges of assault against her and her sister. The incidents were alleged to have occurred between August 2017 and November 2020.
Following a month-long trial that concluded in August 2022 without a verdict, prosecutors sought a retrial scheduled to begin on July 31, as the complainants expressed their willingness to provide evidence. However, during the recent court hearing, prosecutor Peter Wright KC informed the court that the CPS would no longer proceed with the case.
Wright stated that Giggs’ ex-girlfriend had indicated her unwillingness to testify in a retrial, citing the toll the first trial had taken on her and her sister. He emphasised that the decision was not made lightly and that there was no realistic prospect of conviction on the charge of coercive and controlling behavior, as well as a lack of public interest in prosecuting the assault charges.
In response, Judge Hilary Manley formally entered not guilty verdicts in respect of the charges, accepting the CPS’s decision. The defence lawyer, Chris Daw KC, expressed Giggs’ relief and maintained his innocence, stating that he had been fighting to clear his name for nearly three years.
The CPS, in a statement, explained that the decision to withdraw charges was made after careful review, considering the legal test of a realistic prospect of conviction based on the available evidence and the public interest. They noted that recent changes in the case led to the determination that the legal test was no longer met and there was insufficient evidence to proceed.
The case against Giggs, which attracted significant media and public attention, has now concluded, allowing him to move forward and rebuild his life and career. The CPS encouraged potential victims to come forward and report offenses to the police, assuring that they will prosecute whenever their legal test is met.
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