Former Manchester United and Wales footballer Ryan Giggs is in court today facing accusations of assaulting and controlling his ex-girlfriend.
The 48-year-old was mobbed by photographers and camera crews as he arrived at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester, accompanied by his legal team and members of his family. Later, the former Wales manager, wearing a dark suit, white shirt and tie, stood in the dock and identified himself to the clerk as the judge came into court shortly before 11am.
A jury for the trial will be selected later before the trial begins with the prosecution opening by Peter Wright QC. Some 30 reporters filled the public gallery for the start of proceedings, with more watching remotely on a video link.
READ MORE: Suspect named after driver crashes while six times over the limit
Giggs is accused of using controlling and coercive behaviour against Kate Greville, 36, between August 2017 and November 2020. He is also charged with assaulting Ms Greville, causing her actual bodily harm, and of the common assault of her younger sister, Emma Greville, at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester, on November 1 2020.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The trial is expected to last up to 10 days.
Giggs was initially set to face trial in January but the hearing was postponed because of the ongoing backlog of court cases caused by the Covid pandemic. In June, Giggs stood down as manager of the Wales national team following a period of leave since November 2020.
In a statement, he said he did not want the country’s preparations for this year’s World Cup in Qatar to be “affected, destabilised or jeopardised" by the continued interest around his case. During Giggs’ time at Old Trafford, Manchester United won 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, four FA Cups and three League Cups.
He won 64 caps for Wales and is co-owner of League Two side Salford City.
READ NEXT:
- Man found dead in flowerbed hadn't spoken to sister for a year
- All the cost of living payments you will receive and when you will get them
- Suspect named after man stabbed in the head at pub
- 'Sleepy' village in shadow of nuclear plant with no shop or pub
- Faces of ten people jailed in Merseyside this week
