Former Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs will not face a retrial on domestic violence charges after the prosecution lawyers withdrew their case.
The 49-year-old was set to face a retrial on July 31, accused of controlling or coercive behaviour towards his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville between August 2017 and November 2020.
Additionally, the former Premier League winner was accused of assaulting Greville by headbutting her and assaulting her sister Emma by elbowing her in the jaw during an altercation at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester, on November 1, 2020.
Giggs vehemently denied the charges and underwent a month-long trial that concluded in August of last year, with the jury failing to reach a verdict.
Giggs vehemently denied the charges and underwent a month-long trial that concluded in August of last year with the jury failing to reach a verdict
PA
Following this, prosecutors sought a retrial, which was scheduled to commence on July 31, after confirming that the complainants were willing to testify again.
However, during a hearing at Manchester Crown Court on Tuesday, prosecutor Peter Wright KC announced that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had decided not to proceed with the case.
Giggs, the most decorated footballer of his generation in Premier League football, has been on police bail for more than two and a half years since he was arrested on 1 November 2020.
During his career at Old Trafford, Giggs helped Manchester United secure numerous accolades, including 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, four FA Cups, and three League Cups.
Since November 2020, Giggs had taken leave from his position as the manager of the Wales national team.
He had previously earned 64 caps for Wales and is currently a co-owner of Salford, a League Two football club.
A CPS spokesperson said: “At all stages we keep cases under careful review, to ensure our legal test is met. This means there must be a realistic prospect of conviction based upon the available evidence and a prosecution is in the public interest.
“Following a recent change in circumstances in this case we have determined our legal test is no longer met.
During his career at Old Trafford, Giggs helped Manchester United secure numerous accolades, including 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, four FA Cups, and three League Cups
PA
“We have determined there is no longer sufficient evidence available to proceed in respect of the controlling or coercive behaviour charge and that it is no longer in the public interest to prosecute the remaining assault charges.
“This decision was made following detailed discussions with Greater Manchester Police and consultation with the complainants.
“It is not the function of the CPS to decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offence, but to make fair, independent and objective assessments about whether it is appropriate to present charges for the criminal court to consider.
“We encourage any potential victims to come forward and report offences to the police and we will prosecute wherever our legal test is met.”
