Ryan Giggs kicked girlfriend and threw her naked out of hotel room, court hears
Ryan Giggs allegedly kicked his ex-girlfriend in the back and threw her out of their hotel bedroom whilst she was naked, a court has heard.
The former footballer appeared at Manchester Crown Court on Friday where he pleaded not guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour against his ex-girlfriend, Kate Greville, between August 2017 and November 2020.
Giggs also denied assaulting Ms Greville, causing her actual bodily harm, at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester, on November 1 last year.
In the same alleged incident, Giggs faces a charge of common assault against Ms Greville’s younger sister, Emma Greville, which he has also denied.
The former Manchester United player and Ms Greville, who works in PR, have separated since the incident.
The pair went public with their relationship in 2018, shortly after his divorce from his wife of eight years Stacey Giggs, with whom he has two children.
On Friday, the court heard that the charges against Giggs’ alleged a pattern of controlling and coercive behaviour over three years, including messaging Ms Greville and blocking her when she was out for the night with others.
Giggs is also alleged to have threatened to send emails to her friends and employers about their sexual relationship, and to have thrown her belongings out of his house when she questioned him about relationships with other women, the court heard.
During an incident at the Stafford Hotel in London, Giggs has been accused of kicking his ex-girlfriend in the back before throwing her out of the hotel bedroom naked. He then proceeded to throw her bag at her when she accused him of flirting with other women, the court was told.
After the relationship ended, the prosecution alleged that Giggs sent constant unwanted messages and calls to her and her friends, as well as regularly turning up unannounced and uninvited at her home, workplace and gym.
Shortly after he was charged with the offences earlier this year, Giggs issued a statement in which he denied all the allegations and said he would "look forward to clearing my name".
In a statement released in April, 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.”
In an earlier hearing in May, the court heard that the father of two engaged in controlling and coercive behaviour towards her, namely that he used violence, isolation, belittling, humiliation, harassment, degradation and abuse.
In Friday's hearing which lasted just over 30 minutes, the court also heard the former couple were involved in a separate civil dispute over ownership of a pet.
Judge Hilary Manley extended Giggs's bail on condition he must not contact Kate or Emma Greville, or go to any address where they are.
Giggs will go on trial in the criminal proceedings at Manchester Crown Court on January 24.
A further pre-trial hearing will take place at the same court on October 8.
Giggs is on leave from his position as manager of Wales, who he won 64 caps for as a player.
In his time at Old Trafford the club won 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, four FA Cups and three League Cups. He is also a co-owner of League Two side Salford City.
