Former Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs has been found not guilty of domestic abuse and will not face a retrial over allegations he assaulted his ex-girlfriend.
Giggs, 48, was cleared of all charges after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) dropped their case once hs previous partner Kate Greville withdrew her cooperation from the case.
The retired footballer turned Wales coach was accused of controlling and coercive behaviour, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault against Greville’s sister, Emma. Incidents allegedly included headbutting his ex-girlfriend and elbowing her sister during an altercation in Worsley on 1 November 2020.
The retrial had been due to start at Manchester Crown Court on 31 July after jurors failed to reach a verdict following more than 20 hours of deliberations in his initial four-week trial in August 2022, but the decision to drop the case was made by the CPS following a pre-trial review on Tuesday morning.
BREAKING: Ryan Giggs' trial abandoned as charges withdrawn.
Giggs was found not guilty after the charges were withdrawn ahead of the scheduled retrial.
Having denied the claims from the beginning, Giggs issued a statement after the case was officially discontinued.
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“After more than three weeks in court I am obviously disappointed that a retrial has been ordered”, said Giggs, going on to suggest that his innocence would be proven.
“My not guilty plea remains in relation to all charges. I am confident that justice will eventually be done and my name will be cleared of all the allegations. I would like to thank my legal team, my mum, my children, my girlfriend Zara, as well as my closest friends, for their support throughout this period.
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“I understand the level of interest and the scrutiny around this case but I would like to ask that my and my family’s privacy is respected in the weeks and months ahead.”
After telling Manchester Crown Court that the CPS would not be proceeding, prosecutor Peter Wright KC said “this decision is not taken lightly”, explaining that Ms Greville and her sister had “indicated an unwillingness” to give any more evidence, adding that the lengthy proceedings had “taken their toll”.
The court had attempted to attempted to find out exactly why Greville and her sister didn’t want to participate in a second trial, but the prosecuting lawyers say they did feel it appropriate to summon her as a witness for a second time.
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As for the former footballer’s defence barrister, Chris Daw KC, he said: “Mr Giggs is deeply relieved that the case has finally come to an end after almost three years of fighting to clear his name.
“He now intends to rebuild his life and career as an innocent man.”
Featured Image — Wikimedia Commons/Ryan Giggs (via Instagram)
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Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Danny Jones -
18th July 2023 
