Crime

GARY Neville has been referred to the Attorney General after the Ryan Giggs’ trial was delayed following a comment he allegedly made.After Judge Hilary Manley learned of the TV pundit’s statement, the trial was held up legal argument for over an hour.
Neville has been referred to the Attorney General over his commentsCredit: Getty
Giggs and Neville were both members of the famous Class of ’92Credit: PA
It is understood that Neville, 47, insists he was speaking about the directors of their former club, Manchester United.
Neville’s agent Di Law told the Daily Mail: “Gary is absolutely adamant that this was not about the case, but was referring to the Glazers.
“Any suggestion otherwise is not true and he will take it very seriously.
Judge Manley delayed the hearing at Manchester Crown Court to deliberate whether the comment by Class of 92 star Neville was known to the jury and could be potentially prejudicial.
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She confirmed yesterday (WED) she had referred the matter to the Attorney General Suella Braverman to consider if a potential contempt of court had taken place.
Judge Manley told the court: “Both the prosecution and defence agreed with me, in the absence of any comment from the jury, and given my clear direction, the trial could properly continue.
“However, given the author is a person with a high public profile…it could be seen to be an attempt to influence ongoing criminal proceedings and could be contempt of court.
“Accordingly, I am referring the matter to the office of the Attorney General for the consideration of a potential prosecution.”
The offence, if proven, carries a fine or up to two years in prison.
Chris Daw QC, defending Giggs, said he wanted to make it ‘crystal clear’ the footballer had nothing to do with the comment.
Neville and Giggs were both part of the celebrated ‘Class of ‘92’ academy group at Manchester United with David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville.
They came through the ranks together and enjoyed unprecedented success under manager Sir Alex Ferguson – winning the treble in 1999.
Right back Gary, 47, retired in 2011 after 400 appearances and 85 England caps.
He became Three Lions assistant manager under Roy Hodgson in 2012 before a torrid stint as head coach at Spanish side Valencia in 2015.
Neville has since become a star pundit on Sky Sports and ITV while investing in Salford City FC with Giggs.
The pair also partnered for their GG Hospitality company which has opened cafes and hotels across the country.
The Contempt of Court Act 1981 bans anyone from unfairly influencing a court case and preventing a fair trial.
It restricts what can be said publicly or on social media about whether a defendant is guilty or innocent.
And it stops any facts or evidence from being published which the jury were not supposed to see.
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Reports are referred to the Attorney General to consider the potential impact on a criminal trial and whether charges should be pursued.
Suella Braverman QC, Tory MP for Fareham, currently holds the post as chief legal adviser to the Crown.
Suella Braverman will consider whether the pundit’s comments broke the lawCredit: Reuters More

LEAGUE One footballer William Kokolo has been charged with three counts of rape.Burton Albion defender Kokolo, aged 22, appeared at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and was granted unconditional bail until a Crown Court hearing in late September.
William Kokolo did not enter a formal plea to the chargesCredit: Getty
All three offences are alleged to have been committed in the Birmingham area on the same day, February 13, 2022.
French-born Kokolo, who signed for Burton from Middlesbrough in January, has yet to enter a formal plea to the charges.
A statement released by Kokolo’s club said: “Burton Albion is fully aware of the charges that have been made against one of our players and the club has spoken to the player and his legal representatives.
“As this is an ongoing legal process, the club is unable to make any further comment until legal proceedings are concluded.”
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Kokolo was in the youth ranks at Monaco before moving to Championship side Sunderland.
He then joined Middlesbrough, playing in the side’s FA Cup third round away win at Mansfield Town in January this year.
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Kokolo in action for Burton Albion in the game against Lincoln City in January this yearCredit: Rex More

RYAN Giggs’ assault trial against ex-girlfriend Kate Greville today sensationally collapsed after jurors were unable to reach a verdict.The ex-Man Utd star, 48, stood trial accused of headbutting PR exec Kate, 38, and coercively controlling her over a three year period.
Ryan Giggs leaving at Manchester Crown Court todayCredit: AFP
The former Manchester United footballer’s ex-girlfriend Kate GrevilleCredit: Tim Stewart
He denied the charges, as well as an allegation he attacked Kate’s sister Emma, 26.
Jurors spent 22 hours and 59 minutes deliberating after being sent out at Manchester Crown Court last Tuesday.
They were formally dismissed today after confirming there was no “realistic prospect” of reaching a verdict.
A hearing is now due to be held on September 7 to decide if there will be a retrial.
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Giggs’ head dropped when the judge said any future trial would not be held until at least June 2023.
In an explosive trial that saw the sports star break down in tears, Kate claimed she became “a slave to his every need”.
She also claimed Giggs “made me feel like I had to do what he said, otherwise there were consequences”.
Jurors previously heard how Kate’s sister Emma was looking after the then-couple’s puppy Mac on November 1, 2020, while they had dinner at the Stock Exchange Hotel in Manchester.
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Emma said the PR executive was already planning to leave Giggs while he was away on touring duties after finding “evidence” he had cheated on her with eight women.
In later messages read out to the jury this rose to at least 12, and the former Wales boss’ love life was laid bare as he admitted he had never been faithful to any woman, including Kate and ex-wife Stacey.
When an intoxicated Giggs and a “visibly upset” Kate returned home from dinner, Emma said an argument erupted and he picked up some of her sister’s belongings and put them in the hallway.
There was allegedly then “physical contact” and Giggs lay on top of Kate with “his face in line with hers”.
“From her facial expressions I could tell she was in pain,” Emma said.
Kate then yelled “get him off me” and he retreated, but he quickly went from “annoyed to extremely angry” and put both his hands on Kate’s shoulders and headbutted her in the lip, the court was told.
Emma said: “She fell to the ground screaming and covering her face.”
Earlier, the court heard how the couple exchanged 19,671 messages during their six-year relationship.
In one, he told Kate: “I’ll stalk you like mad – I’m good at that”, while in another he warned her: “I will come to yours and I will get in.”
A third read: “I’m so f***ing mad… I am scaring myself. I could do anything.”
He was also accused of bombarding her with sexual texts and threatening to publicly share X-rated videos of them together if she didn’t reply.
Others were cringe-worthy poems in which he told Kate she made him “as hard as a totem pole” and praised her legs and vivaciousness.
Kate said in a police statement, which was read out in court: “He wouldn’t leave me alone.”
‘FLIRT BY NATURE’
Jurors were also told how Giggs is unable to resist an “attractive woman” – regardless of whether he’s in a relationship.
And he admitted that he lied to former wife Stacey and other girlfriends, including Kate, “many times”.
Moments after he began giving evidence, Chris Daw QC, defending, asked: “You’re known in news articles as a love cheat. Is that reputation justified?”
Giggs – who confirmed he’s a “flirt by nature” – replied: “Yes.”
The barrister said: “In the course of your relationship with women, have you managed to be faithful to any of them?”
The footballer said: “No.”
He was also accused of cheating on Kate with a mystery cricketer’s wife, having “full on relationships” with several others, and even plotting threesomes with a woman named Charlotte.
GIGGS ARREST
Giggs was arrested at his £1.7million mansion in Worsley, Gtr Manchester, on November 1, 2020.
He met Giggs when she was working on PR for his Hotel Football business venture, opposite Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium.
In April 2018 she was appointed head of PR and communications for GG Hospitality, the hospitality management firm co-owned by Giggs and former United team-mate Gary Neville.
She was involved in the launch of their Stock Exchange Hotel in Manchester city centre before she took up a new PR consultancy post last July with a former employer.
The former Wales boss denied causing Kate actual bodily harm and engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour between December 2017 and November 2020.
He also pleaded not guilty to the common assault by beating of Emma Greville on November 1.
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Giggs won 64 caps for Wales and had a glittering playing career with Manchester United, 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.
The former Manchester United star leaves court after jurors failed to reach a verdictCredit: PP.
The jury was dismissed today after failing to reach a verdictCredit: AFP

Kate, 38, accused her former partner of cheating on her with 12 other womenCredit: Tim Stewart More

RYAN Giggs was today facing a tense wait as jurors continue deliberating his fate.The ex-Man Utd star, 48, stood trial accused of headbutting his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville, 38.
Ryan Giggs is still awaiting his fateCredit: Getty
He is also charged with coercively controlling her over three years and attacking her sister Emma, 26.
Giggs was pictured arriving at Manchester Crown Court today where the jury is still considering its verdict.
They are now on the fourth day of deliberations after they were sent out last Tuesday.
Yesterday the judge gave a majority direction – meaning she will now accept a verdict on which ten of the panel are agreed.
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One juror has been dismissed after falling ill.
The trial had already been pushed back from January owing to a Covid backlog.
Giggs was arrested at his £1.7million mansion in Worsley, Gtr Manchester, on November 1, 2020.
The former Wales boss denies causing Kate actual bodily harm and engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour between December 2017 and November 2020.
He has also pleaded not guilty to the common assault by beating of Emma Greville on November 1.
Jurors have now been deliberating for four daysCredit: Reuters
Giggs is accused of headbutting ex Kate Greville More

RYAN Giggs was seen walking his dog in Scotland as he awaits his fate in court.The ex-Man Utd star, 48, stood trial accused of headbutting his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville, 38.
Ryan Giggs was spotted walking his dogCredit: SWNS
He is also charged with coercively controlling her over three years and attacking her sister Emma, 26.
Giggs was pictured with his Labrador near a service station in Lockerbie, Dumfries and Galloway, yesterday.
It comes as jurors continue to deliberate following his trial at Manchester Crown Court.
An onlooker said: “We just spotted him when we were driving down to Manchester.
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“We saw him walking his dog. He was just beside a service station.
“We asked him could we take a picture and he put his thumbs up.
“My friend was like ‘that’s Ryan Giggs’.”
The jury were sent out to consider their verdict a week ago.
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They failed to reach a conclusion on Friday and will return to court today following the long weekend.
One juror has been dismissed after falling ill with the remaining 11 members now deciding Giggs’ fate.
The trial had already been pushed back from January owing to a Covid backlog.
Giggs was arrested at his £1.7million mansion in Worsley, Gtr Manchester, on November 1, 2020.
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The former Wales boss denies causing Kate actual bodily harm and engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour between December 2017 and November 2020.
He has also pleaded not guilty to the common assault by beating of Emma Greville on November 1.
An onlooker said Giggs gave them a thumbs upCredit: SWNS
Giggs is accused of headbutting ex Kate Greville
Jurors have been deliberating on a verdictCredit: Reuters More