A judge on Wednesday dismissed the jury in the trial of former Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs after it failed to reach a verdict on charges that he attacked and controlled his ex-partner.
The jury members failed to agree verdicts on any of the three counts he faced during the four-week domestic violence case at Manchester Crown Court.
Giggs, 48, who ended his career at Old Trafford as the most-decorated player in English football history, was at the court for the outcome.
A retrial is possible but prosecution lawyers will have to consider if it is in the public interest.
Giggs had denied using controlling and coercive behaviour against Kate Greville, 38, between August 2017 and November 2020, assaulting her, causing actual bodily harm and the common assault of her younger sister, Emma Greville, 26.
Summing up the trial, Judge Hilary Manley had asked the jury of seven women and five men to consider if the couple's relationship “veered off the rails” due to Ms Greville’s inability to accept Giggs’s serial womanising, with her wreaking “her revenge by twisting and exaggerating their routine arguments”.
Or, she asked, was the relationship “much more sinister and darker”, involving a man exerting his power over an emotionally vulnerable woman, eventually leading to a loss of self-control?
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Ryan Giggs arrives at Manchester Crown Court. The former Manchester United midfielder and manager of the Welsh national team is facing charges of using coercive and controlling behaviour against an ex-girlfriend, and of assaulting her sister. Getty Images -
A court artist sketch of Ryan Giggs being questioned as he gives evidence at Manchester Crown Court. PA -
Giggs directing the Welsh team during a UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier in October 2019 in Cardiff. Getty Images -
Giggs, then Manchester United's interim manager, walks off the pitch following a loss at Old Trafford in May 2014. Getty Images -
Paul Scholes, Phil Neville,Giggs, Nicky Butt, David Beckham and Gary Neville attend the world premiere of 'The Class of 92' in London in December 2013. Getty Images -
Giggs celebrates scoring a goal while captaining Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics. Getty Images -
Giggs and Patrice Evra of Manchester United hold the trophy after winning the UEFA Champions League Final in Moscow in May 2008. Getty Images -
Giggs and Gary Neville of Manchester United lift the Premier League trophy in May 2007. Getty Images -
Giggs celebrates with the Premier League trophy in May 2001. Getty Images -
Giggs drives the ball past Arsenal's David Seaman to score the winner in the FA Cup semi-final in May 1999, which helped Manchester United secure a historic 'treble' of trophies - the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the UEFA Champions League. Getty Images -
Giggs glides past Liverpool defenders during a Premier League clash in October 1996. Getty Images -
Giggs poses during a Reebok advert in 1995 in London. Getty Images -
Giggs meets Nelson Mandela during a tour of South Africa with Manchester United in 1993. Getty Images -
Giggs in action during a Premier League match in March 1994. Getty Images -
Giggs during a Division One match at Old Trafford in September 1991, the year he made his professional debut for the club. Getty Images -
Giggs at a pre-season photocall in August 1991. He would go on to play for Manchester United until 2014. Getty Images
The jury had been considering their deliberations for 22 hours and 59 minutes before they were brought back into court at 3.04pm UK time.
Judge Manley asked if they had reached a verdict on any counts on which a majority of 10 to one had agreed.
The foreman of the jury answered: “No.”
Asked if there was any “realistic prospect” of them reaching verdicts if given more time, the foreman again answered: “No.”
Judge Manley then thanked the jurors and discharged them. She warned all the jurors not to discuss the case as there may be another trial in the future.
Giggs was released on bail until a mention hearing on Wednesday, September 7.
He gave no reaction during the short hearing. Now retired from playing and a former manager of the Wales national side, Giggs exploded on to the football scene as a teenager in the mid-1990s.
As a player, he made a club-record 963 appearances over 23 years for Manchester United, winning 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies.
