Jury is discharged in Ryan Giggs trial after failing to reach a verdict

Ryan Giggs’ domestic violence trial dramatically collapsed today after a jury failed to reach verdicts – meaning the footballer is now facing a possible second trial. 

The former Manchester United footballer had been in court for four weeks but following more than 20 hours of deliberations, the jury of seven women and four men, having lost one juror to illness, failed to reach any verdicts.

Lawyers will now have to consider the public interest of a retrial but any further trial would only take place many months from now.

Giggs, 48, had denied controlling or coercive behaviour over a three-year period towards his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville, 38.

He also denied ‘losing control’ and headbutting her and assaulting Ms Greville’s sister, Emma, by elbowing her in the jaw, during a row at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester on November 1, 2020.

Giggs arriving at Manchester Crown Court today, where jurors were discharged after failing to reach verdicts on any of the three counts he faced  

Former Manchester United Player Welsh coach Giggs and his then girlfriend Kate Greville pictured together in Italy in 2018

Giggs also denied ‘losing control’ and headbutting Ms Greville during a row at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester on November 1, 2020.

Jurors first went out to consider verdicts late on the afternoon of August 23. The jury of 12 was later reduced to 11 after one juror went sick and was discharged.

Judge Hilary Manley yesterday gave the jury a majority direction, meaning they did not have to return unanimous verdicts agreed by all 11, but could return verdicts if a majority of 10-1 agreed.

But jurors were brought back into court this afternoon and asked if they had reached any agreement on any counts.

The foreman of the jury at Manchester Crown Court answered: ‘No.’

Asked if there was any ‘realistic prospect’ of them reaching verdicts if given more time, the foreman again answered: ‘No.’

Giggs made no reaction during the short hearing. 

Judge Manley thanked jurors and discharged them from their duties.

Giggs was released on bail until a mention hearing on September 7.

The former Manchester United footballer (seen middle, today) had been on trial for four weeks but following more than 20 hours of deliberations, the jury of seven women and four men, having lost one juror to illness, failed to reach any verdicts

Giggs, 48, had denied controlling or coercive behaviour over a three-year period towards Ms Greville (pictured together on their Italy trip)