British court drops domestic abuse charges against former Manchester United player Ryan Giggs

British justice has dropped the charges against former Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs, accused of violence against his ex-girlfriend and her sister, the British prosecutor’s office announced on Tuesday 18 July.

A first trial last year failed to reach a verdict as the jury failed to agree the 49-year-old former Wales player and manager was guilty. He was then accused of assaulting Kate Greville, then his partner, during an argument on November 1, 2020, and of “controlling behavior” over his partner during their relationship, which began in 2017 and ended on the day of the events of which she was accused on of him.

A second trial was scheduled for late July but the prosecution announced at a preliminary hearing at Manchester Crown Court (in the north of England) that it was dropping the charges. “It is not a decision taken lightly”prosecutor Peter Wright assured, explaining that Kate Greville, challenged by last year’s hearings, did not want to testify again. “Mr. Giggs is deeply relieved that the lawsuits have finally come to an end after nearly three years of fighting to clear his name”reacted the lawyer of the former footballer, Chris Daw.