‘Obsessed’ Ryan Giggs turned up at his ex girlfriend’s home and gym, bombarded her with ‘naked piccies’ and attacked her at his mansion after ‘cheating on her’
- Ryan Giggs, 48, is accused of attacking and controlling his ex Kate Greville, 36
- He is further charged with common assault of her younger sister, Emma Greville
- Judge ruled the 10-day trial will start from today at Manchester Minshull Street
- The former Manchester United footballer has pleaded not guilty to all charges
Ryan Giggs subjected his girlfriend to a ‘litany of physical and psychological abuse’ and headbutted her at his £1.7m mansion during a row over his alleged infidelity, a court heard today.
The ex-Manchester United footballer, 48, is on trial facig charges of attacking and controlling his ex-girlfriend, Kate Greville, 37, and assaulting her sister.
Prosecutor Peter Wright QC told Manchester’s Minshull Street Court that Giggs’s private life ‘involved a litany of abuse of a woman he professed to love’.
The prosecutor said the result of Ms Greville’s decision to break off their relationship stemmed from an incident in November 2020 – in which she and Giggs rowed over the former Premier league star’s alleged infidelity.
The court heard how Giggs ‘lost control’ and allegedly headbutted his girlfriend at his £1.7m home in Worsley, Great Manchester, before going on to assault her sister, Emma Greville.
Police were called and she told officers of the ‘toxic’ nature of the relationship, it is alleged. Giggs has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Ms Greville would block Giggs on social media then he would email her instead, Mr Wright said.
Giggs would allegedly threaten to send images of her, ‘of a personal nature’, to her friends unless she did what he said.
Giggs would harass Ms Greville with messages including messages to her friends and turn up ‘unwanted’ at her house or the gym she used.
Mr Wright added: ‘This was not an expression of love, this is obsessive behaviour by him.’
Mr Wright gave the jury a flavour of some of the ‘thousands’ of messages the pair exchanged.
He cited one from Giggs, which stated: ‘Please unblock me. All this blocking malarkey is poo. Promise, no more naked piccies.’
‘You may wish to wonder what he was threatening to do,’ Mr Wright added.
Minutes later Giggs sent an email with an attachment, with the subject header of ‘Blackmail.’
Jurors were also asked today if they had any personal connection to Sir Alex Ferguson, former defender Gary Neville or executive David Gill – sparking speculation the trio could play a role during the trial.
Former Manchester United star Ryan Giggs, 48, is pictured leaving Manchester Minshull Street Court on Monday after a court heard how he harboured a ‘sinister and ugly side’
Peter Wright QC, for the prosecution, told the court that Giggs’s private life ‘involved a litany of abuse, both psychological and physical, of a woman he professed to love’
The prosecutor said the result of Ms Greville’s decision to break off their relationship stemmed from an incident in November 2020 – in which she and Giggs rowed over the former Premier league star’s alleged infidelity
Giggs (left), 48, is accused of using controlling and coercive behaviour against Kate Greville (right), 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
Jurors heard how Giggs (pictured above in a court sketch on Monday) ‘lost control’ and allegedly headbutted his girlfriend at his £1.7m home in Worsley, Great Manchester, before going on to assault her sister, Emma Greville
Flanked by his legal team, Giggs stared ahead as he made his way through a huddle of photographers at around 9.15am this morning.
The 48-year-old is charged with assaulting his former girlfriend, PR executive Kate Greville, 37, and causing her actual bodily harm on November 1, 2020, at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester.
He also faces a charge of controlling and coercive behaviour towards Ms Greville throughout their relationship, which began in 2017 and ended with the alleged assault.
Ms Greivlle decided to end the relationship while out with friends at Manchester’s Stock Exchange Hotel in November 2020 – after learning of Giggs’s alleged infidelity.
Mr Wright told the court: ‘She knew that the defendant had once again been cheating on her.
‘During the evening the defendant’s behaviour towards her led to her making that decision and make an early departure. In advance of her return home she informed her sister by text message of her plan.
‘She intended to make her departure before he got back from the hotel. The plan did not work.
‘As she was vacating the defendant’s home address, he came back and began arguing with her and trying to stop her leaving.’
The prosecutor said she took his phone as a ‘bargaining chip’ to try to persuade him not to prevent her from going.
A heated argument followed and Giggs then attempted to grab her phone, which was later found on a fence post in the garden of the property, said Mr Wright.
In the altercation that followed they grappled together on the floor before Ms Greville’s sister stepped in, the court heard.
Mr Wright said: ‘She (Emma Greville) tried to pull the defendant off her sister. For her pains the defendant, we say, deliberately elbowed her in the jaw causing her discomfort and shock that he would turn violence on to her as well her sister.
‘The argument between the defendant and Kate Greville moved to the kitchen. The couple continued to argue about her mobile phone.
‘At that stage, we say, the defendant entirely lost self-control and he deliberately headbutted Kate, thereby causing swelling to her lips and bruising. Emma then called the police, who attended the premises.’
Chris Daw QC, for the defence, said his client ‘did not control or coerce’ his former partner and appealed to the jury to use ‘common sense’ when reaching their verdict.
Giggs, 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.
Some 30 reporters filled the public gallery for the start of proceedings, with more watching remotely on a video link.
Ex-Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs arrived at court on Monday and is set to face trial today accused of attacking his ex-girlfriend and her sister
Giggs (pictured arriving at court this morning) was arrested by police at his home in November 2020 and released on bail.
Pictured: Kate Greville was seen walking her dog back in November 2020
Flanked by his legal team, Giggs stared ahead as he made his way through a huddle of photographers at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court at 9.15am
Last year, a court heard that Giggs allegedly kicked Ms Greville in the back before throwing her out of a five-star hotel bedroom naked after she accused him of flirting with other women.
The Welshman is further charged with common assault of her younger sister, Emma Greville, on the same day.
Giggs was arrested by police at his home in November 2020 and released on bail.
He has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty at an initial court appearance in April last year.
Mr Wright told the jury at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester on Monday: ‘He was idolised by his adoring fans and supporters. On the pitch his skills were abundant and a thing of beauty.
‘Off the pitch in the privacy of his own personal life at home or behind closed doors, there was, we say the facts reveal, a much uglier and more sinister side to his character.
‘This was a private life that involved a litany of abuse, both physical and psychological, of a woman he professed to love.
‘A woman who, in reality, was, if the evidence is to be believed, treated in a way that cannot be excused or overlooked, by either an adoring public, or the law.
‘This is a story of control and coercion of a woman who thought she was loved and respected, sadly the reality was very different.’
The former Manchester United and Wales International Footballer was due to face trial in January, but the hearing was put back due to the ongoing backlog of court cases exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Lat week, it was feared the hearing could be delayed again due to the discovery of asbestos in Manchester Crown Court’s basement.
Arrangements for the case were finalised on Thursday after Judge Hilary Manley ruled the 10-day trial would start from today at the city’s other crown court, Manchester Minshull Street, before it transfers to Manchester Crown Court on Tuesday for the remainder of the proceedings.
HM Courts and Tribunals Service said Manchester Crown Court would be temporarily closed due to a ‘building issue’.
Arrangements for the case were finalised last week in the wake of Manchester Crown Court (pictured) closing due to testing for asbestos
A number of cases were later switched from the Crown Square building to Minshull Street and also Bolton Crown Court.
In a brief hearing at Minshull Street last week, Judge Manley said jurors would be sworn in on Monday, with the prosecution opening to follow.
Barristers in the case appeared remotely to deal with the preparatory matters, while Giggs was not required to attend.
Last month, he 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 in any way by the continued interest around this case’.
Giggs met Ms Greville in 2013 after she helped promote his Hotel Football venue, launched with ex-United teammate Gary Neville.
He divorced his wife Stacey in December 2017 and they finalised a £40million settlement after he cheated on her with model and Big Brother star Imogen Thomas during their 10-year marriage.
Giggs found love again with lingerie model, Zara Charles, 33, who has ‘supported’ him through the charges.
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.
