September 1, 2022, 00:58 GMT
Ryan Giggs in front of the courtroom
The jury in the trial of former Manchester United player Ryan Giggs has been relieved of its duties after failing to reach a verdict on any of the charges against him.
Giggs is accused of bullying, compulsive and aggressive behavior against both his ex-girlfriend and her younger sister.
Giggs, 48, has denied all charges against him, and he has also denied hitting the head of his ex-girlfriend, Kate Greville, 38, during a fight at his home in November 2020.
The former Manchester player also denied resorting to the behavior of the controller and assaulting Greville and her sister Emma, 26, in the trial that took place at the Manchester Royal Court.
The judge said that any retrial will not take place before June 5, 2023.
After deliberating nearly 23 hours, the jury failed to reach a verdict on any of the three charges against the Wales coach, who resigned in June.
The commission consisted of 11 people, seven women and four men.
And the judge, Hilary Manley, asked the panel if it had reached a majority, which ruling? The jury chairman replied, “No.”
Then I asked about any “realistic possibility” of reaching a ruling, if the members were given more time, and the head of the commission repeated his answer in the negative.
Then the judge thanked the commission and relieved it of its mission, warning the members not to discuss the case, because of the possibility of a retrial in the future.
The judge said it was clear that the members “did their best to reach verdicts” and should not be “frustrated”.
Ryan Giggs’ trial lasted four weeks.
picture released, PA Medium
Giggs has denied all charges against him
What will happen next?
The Crown Prosecution Office has a week to decide whether to retrial.
If it decides, a new jury will take the oath and hear evidence as part of a new trial.
Giggs has been released on bail until September 7, when a hearing is held to announce the decision on what to do next.
Prosecuting attorney Peter Wright described the case as a story of “control and coercion” against a woman who she thought was “liked and respected”.
Wright said their relationship was marred by “violence”.
Greville claimed that she had become “a captive to all his needs and requirements”.
The court heard Greville’s allegations that she was dragged naked to the floor in a hotel room in Dubai in 2017. Giggs threw her and her belongings in the hotel lobby, bruising her arm.
Ryan Giggs admitted that he was unfaithful during the relationship, but denied that he physically assaulted a woman, and said that he never intended to control or coerce a woman.
The court heard the case of Giggs accusing Kate of assaulting Kate at his home in Worsley, in the county of Greater Manchester, on November 1, 2020. They returned from a dinner during which they had a fight, after accusing him of messaging a group of women.
Kate’s sister, Emma Greville, who was tending their dog, called the police. Emma said in her testimony that her sister screamed and fell to the ground, and that Giggs told her it was her “mistake” and threatened to do the same to her.
But Giggs denied the allegations and claimed Kate kicked him in the head.
Judge Manley said a social media post was given to her two days after the trial began. And she referred him to the public prosecutor for possible formation in contempt of court.