July 18 – Former Manchester United star and ex-Wales manager Ryan Giggs has been cleared of allegations he assaulted his ex-girlfriend and her sister.
The ruling came after charges were withdrawn by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) at a hearing at Manchester Crown Court and a retrial date abandoned.
Giggs, 49, faced charges of causing actual bodily harm to his former girlfriend Kate Greville along with controlling and coercive behaviour. He also faced a charge of common assault of Greville’s sister, Emma.
In a trial last year, the jury was discharged after failing to reach verdicts on the charges. Giggs had denied all charges.
Judge Hilary Manley directed that Giggs was not guilty on all three counts. The retrial had been due to start at Manchester Crown Court on July 31.
Giggs did not attend the hearing where he was acquitted but his defence barrister, Chris Daw KC, commented: “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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