Ryan Giggs’ trial may feature Manchester United icons Sir Alex Ferguson, Gary Neville and David Gill, jury is told, as the Welshman faces claims of coercive and physical abuse of his ex-girlfriend
- Ryan Giggs appeared at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court on Monday
- A jury was told that three Man United figures may feature at the Welshman’s trial
- Ex-manager Sir Alex Ferguson, David Gill and Gary Neville were all named
Sir Alex Ferguson, Gary Neville and David Gill may feature in the trial of Ryan Giggs, a jury has been told.
The former Manchester United star and Wales manager appeared at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court on Monday where he denies claims he coercively controlled and attacked his ex, Kate Greville, and assaulted her sister, Emma.
At the start of the first day of a two-week case a jury of seven women and five men were read a list of people who may be referenced during the trial and asked if they had any personal relationships with those on it.
The group included Giggs’s United manager Ferguson, ex-team-mate, fellow Class of ’92 member and Salford City co-owner Neville and the United’s former chief executive Gill.
Salford chairman Karen Baird was also on the list, along with Giggs’s ex-wife Stacey.
None of the jury raised any concerns.
Manchester United icon Ryan Giggs appeared at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court facing claims of coercive behaviour
Sir Alex Ferguson, Gary Neville and David Gill could be referenced during the trial, the jury was told
Ryan Giggs, 48, has pleaded not guilty to the controlling behaviour of his ex-partner
Peter Wright QC, prosecuting, told the jury Gigs – who sat in a glass-enclosed dock – was guilty of a ‘litany of abuse, physical and psychological, of a woman he professed to love’.
He added that the former winger, who stepped down as Wales manager earlier this year, had headbutted Greville during a row when they had grappled on the floor at the house they shared and elbowed her sister in the jaw when she tried to intervene.
Representing Giggs, Chris Daw QC said his client ‘did not control or coerce at all’. ‘This is not about making excuses.,’ he said, before asking the jury to use ‘common sense’ when reaching a verdict.
