Ex-Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs is no longer facing a retrial as his charges of domestic violence have been dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
The decision to withdraw the charges was announced at a hearing at Manchester Crown Court today (18 July), two weeks before Giggs' retrial was scheduled to begin.
At his first trial last August, jurors failed to reach a verdict.
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Giggs, 49, has now been cleared of controlling and coercive behaviour, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault.
Peter Wright KC told Manchester Crown Court the decision to drop the charges as Giggs’ ex-girlfriend, Kate Greville, 39, had 'indicated an unwillingness' to give evidence in the new trial.
He said the previous trial had 'taken its toll' on Kate and her sister Emma, adding: "This is not a decision taken lightly."
Wright told the court there was no realistic prospect that prosecutors would obtain a conviction on count one, that of coercive and controlling behaviour, and that it was no longer in the public interest to proceed to prosecute on the other charges of assault on Kate and Emma.
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“That being the case, we formally offer no evidence on counts one, two and three," he said.
In response, Judge Hilary Manley replied: “I formally enter not guilty verdicts in respect of those counts.”
Chris Daw KC, defending Giggs, who was not present in court, commented: “Mr Giggs is deeply relieved the prosecution has finally come to an end after almost three years in which he’s been fighting throughout to clear his name.
“He has always been innocent of these charges, there’s been very, very many lies told about him in court.
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“He’s now been found not guilty of all the charges and going forward would like to rebuild his life and career as an innocent man.”
Featured Image Credit: Matt McNulty / Cameron Smith / Stringer /Getty