The ex-Red Devils winger, accused of violence against his ex-girlfriend, was described as an “oppressive” companion during the first day of hearing.

Ryan Giggs was accused on Monday of “physical and psychological violence” against his ex-girlfriend on the first day of his trial. Accusations that the former Manchester United winger denies but which led him to resign as Wales manager ahead of the 2022 World Cup . The 48-year-old ex-player, who won two Champions Leagues in a Red Devils jersey, entered looking grave, flanked by his lawyers in Manchester Minshull Street, where judge Hilary Manley opened the planned trial to 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”.

A “toxic and harmful” relationship

During the hearing, the representative of the prosecution Peter Wright told the jurors that Mr. Giggs was responsible “for a multitude of physical and psychological violence against a woman he says he loves”. “The defendant’s behavior has become increasingly oppressive,” Wright said, 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 Google”, asking them to “put aside” what they may have read about the case in the media.

The same lawyer as John Terry

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, l previous year, during an English championship match. 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 said.

As a player, Giggs notably won 13 Premier League titles. 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 Wales’ fourth appearance in a major competition since the 1958 World Cup.

Source: Alexandre Jaquin with AFP

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