Ryan Giggs today said he was ‘obviously disappointed’ that a retrial has been ordered over allegations of domestic abuse against his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville, as he faces waiting at least ten months to learn his fate.
But the former Manchester United and Wales footballer added: ‘I am confident that justice will eventually be done and my name will be cleared of all the allegations.’
Giggs will now have to stand trial again, facing charges of assault and coercive and controlling behaviour.
He was photographed looking solemn while out driving in Cheshire today at about 10.45am with his girlfriend Zara Charles who was seen grabbing a coffee – around 30 minutes after the retrial decision was announced.
In a statement today, Giggs thanked ‘my legal team, my mum, my children, my girlfriend Zara, as well as my closest friends, for their support throughout this period’.
The retrial decision came after the Crown Prosecution Service decided it would pursue a prosecution against Giggs after a jury failed to reach a verdict last week following a three-week trial.
The former Wales coach, 48, is accused of assaulting Greville, 38, and her 26-year-old sister Emma amid a booze-fuelled argument at Giggs’ multi-million pound home in Worsley, Greater Manchester.
He also stands accused of coercive and controlling behaviour towards PR executive Greville over three years – charges which he denies.
Giggs said in a statement today: ‘After more than three weeks in court I am obviously disappointed that a retrial has been ordered. My not guilty plea remains in relation to all charges. I am confident that justice will eventually be done and my name will be cleared of all the allegations.
‘I would like to thank my legal team, my mum, my children, my girlfriend Zara, as well as my closest friends, for their support throughout this period. I understand the level of interest and the scrutiny around this case but I would like to ask that my and my family’s privacy is respected in the weeks and months ahead.’
Ryan Giggs is seen looking solemn while out driving in Cheshire today at about 10.45am, after the retrial was announced
Ryan Giggs today said he was ‘obviously disappointed’ that a retrial has been ordered over allegations of domestic abuse
Giggs’ girlfriend Zara Charles was seen grabbing a coffee while out in Cheshire today, while Giggs stayed in the car
Giggs’s girlfriend Zara Charles is seen in Cheshire this morning after the retrial decision was announced in court
During a brief hearing at Manchester Crown Court today, the judge approved a prosecution application for a second trial. Giggs was excused attendance.
Peter Wright QC, prosecuting, told Judge Hilary Manley: ‘We do seek a re-trial in respect of Mr Giggs.
‘The matter has been considered at a senior level within the Crown Prosecution Service and also the willingness of the complainant to give evidence, although that is not determinative on the matter, has also been canvassed.
‘They indicate a preparedness so to do. Consequently we do invite you to fix a date for the re-trial of this matter.’
Judge Manley fixed a trial date, on the next date available to both prosecution and defence lawyers, of July 31, 2023 for a trial estimated to last three or four weeks.
A pre-trial hearing was also set for July 3. Giggs’s defence team did not speak in court.
Judge Manley said Giggs was not required to be present at the hearing ‘but is well aware of the bail conditions’.
The charges against Giggs were examined at Manchester Crown Court throughout the month of August but the jury failed to reach a verdict after 20 hours of deliberations.
Former Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs at Manchester Crown Court on August 31
Giggs is accused of assaulting Kate Greville (pictured), 38, and her 26-year-old sister Emma
But his new trial will not take place until at least July of next year, meaning the former Man Utd winger now faces an agonising wait to learn his fate.
After close to an entire day of deliberation, the seven women and four men on the jury at Manchester Crown Court were discharged after failing to reach a verdict on August 31.
There were only 11 jurors because one became ill and was discharged. The hearing, which lasted 17 days, is estimated to have cost the taxpayer more than £100,000.
The former footballer dropped his head and appeared crestfallen when an earliest provisional retrial date of June 5 was relayed to the court.
Giggs’s mother, Lynne, who has supported her son throughout and looked on from the public gallery, held her head in her hands. Outside court she said her son’s life was ‘on hold’.
During the first trial, Giggs broke down and sobbed in court as he recounted how spending the night in the cells following his arrest was the ‘worst experience of my life’.
The former Wales manager was accused of controlling and coercing Miss Greville.
When she announced she was leaving him, on November 1, 2020, Giggs allegedly headbutted her at his mansion in Worsley.
He was also accused of assaulting her sister, Emma, 26, who was at the property looking after the couple’s puppy.
Giggs denied one count of controlling and coercive behaviour and two offences of assault.
