RYAN Giggs kicked his naked girlfriend out of a five-star hotel after a row over him flirting with other women, a court heard today.
The former Manchester United ace, 48, is accused of kicking his then-partner Kate Greville in the back at Stafford London – one of a string of assaults alleged to have taken place over almost three years.
Giggs has been charged with causing Kate actual bodily harm and engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour – claims he has denied.
He has also denied attacking the 36-year-old’s sister at his £1.7million home in Worsley, Greater Manchester, on November 1, 2020.
And he faces a string of controlling or coercive behaviour accusations between August 31, 2017, and November 2, 2020.
Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard this includes threatening to send emails to Kate’s friends and employers about her sexual behaviour, as well as making unwanted calls when she tried to break off the relationship.
The former Wales boss also allegedly turned up unannounced and uninvited at her home, workplace and gym, and chucked her belongings out of his house when she asked him about his relationships with other women.
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Giggs denies causing Kate actual bodily harm and engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour.
Opening the case for the prosecution, Peter Wright QC said Giggs was “idolised by his adoring fans” and described his skills on the pitch as “abundant and a thing of beauty”.
But he told the jury that behind closed doors was a “much uglier and more sinister side to his character”.
“This was a private life that involved a litany of abuse, both physical and psychological, of a woman he professed to love,” he said.
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“A woman who, in reality, was, if the evidence is to be believed, treated in a way that cannot be excused or overlooked, by either an adoring public, or the law.
“This is a story of control and coercion of a woman who thought she was loved and respected, sadly the reality was very different.”
He went on to tell the jury about the alleged events on November 1 2020.
‘HEATED’ ARGUMENT
The jury heard how Kate had told her sister she intended to leave the football star – but he returned home and the pair began to argue.
He said: “The argument became heated. He tried to grab her phone.”
Mr Wright said Giggs then pushed Ms Greville to the ground, causing bruising to her arm.
He said they were grappling on the floor when her sister Emma stepped in – and he “deliberately elbowed” her.
Mr Wright alleged Giggs then “entirely lost his self-control” and “deliberately headbutted” Kate.
Police were called and she told officers of the “toxic” nature of the relationship, it is alleged.
‘SQUABBLING CHILDREN’
Defending Giggs, Chris Daw QC said he and Kate “behaved like squabbling children” – but that there were “lines Mr Giggs would never cross”.
He said Giggs never “used unlawful violence” and slammed the allegations as “distortion, exaggeration and lies”.
He was meant to go on trial in January but the case was adjourned due to a backlog following the pandemic.
Giggs is on conditional bail and must not contact Kate or Emma Greville, or go to any address where they are.
He won 64 caps for Wales and had a glittering playing career with Man Utd, winning 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.
Giggs has denied the allegations and previously issued a statement in which he said he would “look forward to clearing my name”.
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He stepped down as Wales manager last month after going on leave when he was charged in November 2020.
The footballer said he did not want the country’s preparations for this year’s World Cup in Qatar to be “affected, destabilised or jeopardised in any way by the continued interest around this case”.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
