MANCHESTER, United Kingdom — Former
Manchester United star Ryan Giggs went on trial Monday on charges of attacking
and coercively controlling his ex-girlfriend, in a case that has upended his
managerial career.
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The 48-year-old, who until recently served as coach
of the Wales national team, has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which carry
a maximum jail term of five years.
The jury trial at a crown court in Manchester opened
around 11am, presided over by judge Hilary Manley. She said the trial is
expected to last two weeks but could overrun.
Giggs entered the
court building looking grave-faced, flanked by his legal team. Inside he sat
upright in the dock as lawyers discussed the course of the trial with the
judge.
The first day was to decide the final jury selection
and hear the opening speech by prosecution lawyer Peter Wright.
Wright told the judge the trial would include a
compilation of CCTV footage and body cam videos.
Giggs is charged with assaulting his former
girlfriend, PR executive Kate Greville, causing her actual bodily harm on
November 1, 2020, when police were called to his home in the Manchester area.
The Welshman is further charged with common assault
of her younger sister, Emma Greville, on the same day.
He also faces a charge of controlling and coercive
behavior towards Kate Greville throughout their relationship, which began in
2017 and ended with the alleged assault.
The charge specifies that his behavior towards
Greville, 36, included the use of “isolation, belittling, humiliation,
harassment, degradation, and abuse”.
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.
His trial was due to be heard in January but it was
delayed due to a backlog of court cases caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
First of two trials
Giggs’s lawyer, Chris Daw,
has acted for high-profile sports figures including former England and Chelsea
football captain John Terry, who was found not guilty of racially abusing
fellow player Anton Ferdinand in 2012.
Giggs resigned as the Wales manager in June, after
being on leave since his arrest.
He said he did not want “continued interest around
this case” to affect the team as it prepares for this year’s
World Cup in Qatar.
He remains on conditional bail, and has said he
looks forward to “clearing my name”.
His trial opens shortly before another court case
involving a star footballer, Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy.
The Frenchman is set to go on trial on Wednesday in
Chester, northwest England, accused of rape and assault in a case involving
seven women.
Mendy, who has been suspended by City, denies the
allegations.
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