Former star winger Ryan Giggs was charged on Monday with “physical and psychological violenceon his ex-companion by the accusation on the first day of his trial, accusations which he refutes but which led him to resign from his post as Wales coach as the World Cup-2022 approaches.
The 48-year-old former player, who won two Champions Leagues in a Manchester United jersey, entered the serious air, flanked by his lawyers in Manchester Minshull Street, where judge Hilary Manley opened the trial planned for last two weeks.
Giggs pleads not guilty to the domestic violence charges against him, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. He is accused of assaulting his former girlfriend, Kate Gerville, during a heated argument on Nov. 1, 2020. Police had been called to Giggs’ home.
He must also answer for the offense of behavior of control over his companion during their relationship, which had started in 2017 and ended on the day of the facts with which he is accused. This head of prosecution covers acts of “isolation, belittlement, humiliation, harassment, degradation and ill-treatment».
Accused of “a multitude of violence”
During the hearing, prosecutor Peter Wright told jurors that Mr Giggs was responsible “of a multitude of physical and psychological violence against a woman he says he loves». «The accused’s behavior became increasingly oppressive“, said Mr. Wright, calling the relationship between him and Kate Greville “toxic and harmful».
Giggs, arrested at his home in November 2020 and released, is also charged with violence against the sister of his ex-partner, Emma Gerville. According to Mr. Wright, Ryan Giggs attacked Kate Greville and her sister violently, injuring his partner in the elbow and lips.
At a preliminary hearing in April 2021, he disputed the charges against him and pleaded not guilty. His trial was originally scheduled for January but had to be postponed due to court congestion.
Judge Hilary Manley on Monday ordered jurors not to “go to googleasking them toput asidewhat they may have read about the case in the media.
Mr. Giggs has chosen as his lawyer Chris Daw, who defends big names in sport such as former Chelsea captain John Terry, acquitted in 2012 by British justice in a case of racist insults against player Anton Ferdinand the previous year in an English league match.
A career punctuated by 13 titles
Giggs resigned as Wales manager in June. “I do not want the country’s preparations for the World Cup to be affected, destabilized or endangered in any way by the continued interest around this matter.“, he had declared. He said he was looking forward to “blanch (his) name».
As a player, Giggs won 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues with the Red Devils.
The midfielder began his coaching career at Old Trafford, taking over as temporary manager at the end of the 2013/14 season following David Moyes’ dismissal, before working as Louis van Gaal’s assistant for two years.
He was appointed in January 2018 coach of the Welsh team, which he led to the round of 16 of the last Euro last year. The 2022 World Cup will be the Welsh eleven’s fourth participation in a major competition since the 1958 World Cup.
Giggs’ trial opens two days before that of French player Benjamin Mendy, who was tried in Chester from Wednesday for rape and sexual assault on seven women.
