Ryan Giggs admits he 'hasn't been faithful in any relationship' as he gives evidence
Ryan Giggs has admitted he had a "reputation for infidelity" and has never been faithful in any relationship, as he took to the stand in his assault trial.
The former Manchester United footballer is on trial accused of controlling and coercive behaviour against ex-girlfriend Kate Greville between August 2017 and November 2020.
The 48-year-old is also charged with assaulting Greville, 38, and her sister Emma, 26, during an incident on 1 November 2020, at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester.
He has denied the allegations.
In the run-up to the alleged incident, Greville said she had found out that during their six-year on-off partnership, which was described as "toxic" in court, Giggs allegedly had "full-on" relationships with eight other women.
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Defending Giggs, Chris Daw QC, asked: "To begin with, you are well known all over the world for two things.
“One, as a footballer?”
“Yes,” said Giggs.
Asked if he was also known as someone with a "a reputation for infidelity", and whether that was "justified", Giggs also agreed.
Daw went on to ask: “In the course of your relationships with women, up to and including Ms Greville, have you managed to be faithful to any of them?”
“No,” said Giggs.
The barrister added: “If an attractive woman has shown you interest regardless of your marital status, are you able to resist?”
Giggs replied: “No.”
Mr Daw said: “Are you a flirt by nature?”
“Yes,” said Giggs, as he admitted he lied to his ex-wife Stacey and Greville about his infidelities.
Jurors at Manchester Crown Court have previously been told the former footballer allegedly placed his hands on the shoulders of Greville during the incident in November and headbutted her in the lip “with lots of force”.
Giving evidence at the start of the second week of Giggs’ trial, Emma said the defendant then went on to blame her for the incident.
She told jurors at Manchester Crown Court how she was looking after the couple’s puppy Mac on 1 November 2020 while Giggs and her sister had dinner at the Stock Exchange Hotel in Manchester city centre.
Emma said the PR executive was already planning to leave Giggs at a future date while he was away on touring duties.
On Tuesday, jurors were told Giggs was interviewed by detectives the day after he was arrested on suspicion of assaulting Greville and her sister.
In a written statement, Giggs said: “It is correct that unfortunately Kate and I got into an argument which resulted in us having a tussle over my phone which she had taken.
“I accept during the tussle she caught me in the face, causing bleeding to the lip and inner mouth.
“I may have caught her and her sister during the scuffle but at no time was there any attempt to harm either of them.”
He said he asked both sisters to leave his house but they refused.
The court was told Giggs was then interviewed by police in December 2020 in relation to an allegation of coercive and controlling behaviour after officers obtained more alleged details from Greville.
In a prepared defence statement given to police and read in court by prosecutor Peter Wright QC, Giggs said: “I will not accept that my behaviour towards my former partner has been in any way controlling or coercive, nor that I have done any of the incidents in the manner described.”
In response to an allegation he had threatened to release intimate photos of Ms Greville and/or himself, Giggs’ statement said he “didn’t recall” making the threat and would “never” have released such material.
“I would be terrified of the publicity that would be generated,” he said.
“Kate knows how I feel regarding the press and negative publicity.”
The statement said that even if a threat had been made “in jest or in drink,” it would be “preposterous” for Ms Greville to believe it would be carried out.
The trial continues...
