Ryan Giggs facing five years in prison after ‘assaulting two women and controlling his ex-girlfriend’
MANCHESTER United legend Ryan Giggs could face up to five years in jail after being charged with assaulting two women and coercive control.
The charges follow an alleged bust-up with ex-girlfriend Kate Greville at his mansion.
Wales boss Giggs, 47, who was driven to Swinton police station to be charged, said: “I will plead not guilty in court.”
Football idol Giggs was alleged to have “controlled” his ex-girlfriend for three years.
The ex-Manchester United ace and Wales manager was charged with coercive and controlling behaviour against PR executive Kate Greville.
Giggs was further charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm to Kate, 36.
He is also accused of common assault of another woman in her 20s.
The charges
- Repeatedly or continuously engaging in behaviour which was controlling or coercive, contrary to section 76(1) and (11) of the Serious Crime Act 2015.
- Assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
- Assault by beating, contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. This relates to a second woman.
Last night he vowed to clear his name as the Welsh FA confirmed that his deputy Robert Page would take charge of the country’s team at this summer’s European Championships.
The coercive control count Giggs faces spans from December 2017 to November last year.
Coercive or controlling behaviour became an offence in 2015 and carries a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment.
It is defined in law as: “An act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten a victim.”
Giggs could face up to five years in jail if he is found guilty of the charges against him.
A conviction for ABH could see him jailed for four years, while common assault carries a maximum sentence of six months in prison. But any sentences are likely to run concurrently.
In a statement, Giggs said: “I have full respect for the due process of law and understand the seriousness of the allegations.
“I will plead not guilty in court and look forward to clearing my name.
“I would like to wish Robert Page, the coaching staff, the players and the supporters every success at the Euros this summer.”
Giggs was charged following an alleged bust-up with Kate.
CHEAT FEARS
He was held after police were called to his £1.7mansion in Worsley, Greater Manchester, on November 1 last year.
The star was spotted loading a large suitcase into his black Land Rover Discovery and leaving his home for a police station at 3pm yesterday.
He was photographed wearing a white shirt and black face mask as he sat in the back seat.
He arrived at Swinton Police Station, Greater Manchester, at 3.25pm and spent 20 minutes inside where officers read out the charges against him.
Giggs left at 3.45pm but did not return to his home.
He and Kate are said to have argued at his mansion over her fears he had cheated with two other women.
PR work for hotel ended in romance
THIS is how the drama has unfolded.
2013: Giggs meets Kate Greville while she is doing PR work for Hotel Football.
2016: He splits from wife Stacey after it emerges he has had an eight-year affair with his brother’s wife Natasha.
2017: Giggs starts dating Kate.
August 2018: The pair go public with their relationship eight months after his divorce.
November 1, 2020: Giggs arrested after cops called to home in Worsley, Greater Manchester.
November 3: Steps down as Wales manager for next three games.
February 26, 2021: Bail extended to May 1.
March 10: It is revealed he is standing down as Wales manager for further fixtures.
Yesterday: Charged with ABH, assault and coercive control.
Wednesday: He is due to appear before Manchester magistrates.
The couple first met while Kate was working on the PR for his Hotel Football business venture.
Giggs split from wife Stacey in 2016 after it emerged that he had been romping for eight years with brother Rhodri’s wife Natasha.
At the same time, Giggs had a fling with model and former Miss Wales Imogen Thomas — who was a contestant on TV’s Big Brother in 2006.
Giggs went public with Kate when the pair were pictured on holiday in Italy in August 2018 — eight months after his divorce from Stacey.
He has been bailed and will appear at Manchester and Salford magistrates court next Wednesday.
The Crown Prosecution Service said yesterday: “We have authorised Greater Manchester Police to charge Ryan Giggs with engaging in behaviour which was controlling or coercive and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
“A charge of assault by beating relating to a second woman has also been authorised.
“The CPS made the decision to charge Mr Giggs after reviewing a file of evidence from Greater Manchester Police.
“Criminal proceedings are active and nothing should be published that could jeopardise the defendant’s right to a fair trial.”
Greater Manchester Police confirmed the charges in a statement.
GLITTERING CAREER
The former Red Devils and Wales winger enjoyed a glittering 24-year career at Old Trafford.
He won 13 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, four FA Cups and three League cups
Giggs was honoured with an OBE in 2007 and two years later won the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award.
On the international stage, he won 64 caps for Wales between 1991 and 2007.
Giggs became national manager in January 2018.
He led them to qualification for last year’s Euros — which have been re-scheduled to this summer because of the restrictions caused by Covid-19.
Giggs is also co-owner of League Two side Salford City alongside fellow former Manchester United team-mates David Beckham, Gary and Phil Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt.
- If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, go to . Live Chat open daily 10am-6pm or email helpline@womensaid.org.uk Or call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline (run by Refuge) on 0808 2000 247
Abusers' methods
COERCIVE control is a pattern of behaviour by an abuser to harm or punish a victim, including manipulation, degradation and gaslighting.
Abusers gradually take control of a person’s day-to-day life, from whether they can see friends and family, monitoring phones and social media, to what clothes they can wear.
Victims have financial independence taken away and are repeatedly told they are worthless.
And 95 per cent of domestic abuse victims undergo coercive control.