Giggs' retrial abandoned after domestic violence charges withdrawn

Ryan Giggs' retrial later this month over domestic violence allegations has been abandoned.

The charges were withdrawn by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) at a hearing at Manchester Crown Court.

It was to be the second time the 49-year-old was to be tried over the claims.

Giggs was on trial last summer, accused of assaulting his former partner, Kate Greville, causing actual bodily harm, and using controlling and coercive behaviour against her between August 2017 to November 2020.

He was also charged with the common assault of Ms Greville's younger sister, Emma.

Giggs was accused of "losing control" and headbutting his ex-girlfriend - and elbowing her sister in the jaw - during a row at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester, on 1 November 2020.

The 12-member jury was sent out to consider its verdict on 23 August last year after a month-long trial, but one juror was discharged due to illness.

Judge Hilary Manley then said she would accept a majority verdict where at least 10 of the 11 remaining jurors agreed.

However, the jury of seven women and four men failed to agree verdicts on any of the charges after deliberating for 22 hours and 59 minutes.

It was ruled last September that Giggs would face a retrial, a decision which he said "disappointed" him.

Giggs has always denied the allegations against him.

He stood down from his role as manager of the Wales national team last September after a period of leave that began in November 2020.

Giggs won 64 caps for Wales, scored 114 goals for Manchester United during his 24-year stint at the club and co-owns League Two side Salford.