MANCHESTER United legend Ryan Giggs is set to appear in court charged with assaulting two women.
Giggs, 47, will appear at Manchester Magistrates Court this morning accused of two counts of assault and using coercive or controlling behaviour.
The charges follow an alleged bust-up with ex-girlfriend Kate Greville at Giggs' mansion in Worsley,Greater Manchester, in November last year.
The Wales manager has previously said he will deny all the allegations in court.
Following the announcement of the charges, Giggs said: "I have full respect for the due process of law and understand the seriousness of the allegations.
"I will plead not guilty in court and look forward to clearing my name."
The ex-Manchester United ace and Wales manager was charged with coercive and controlling behaviour against PR executive Kate Greville.
Giggs was further charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm to Kate, 36.
He is also accused of common assault of another woman in her 20s.
The coercive control count Giggs faces spans from December 2017 to November last year.
Coercive or controlling behaviour became an offence in 2015 and carries a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment.
It is defined in law as: “An act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten a victim.”
The charges
- Repeatedly or continuously engaging in behaviour which was controlling or coercive, contrary to section 76(1) and (11) of the Serious Crime Act 2015.
- Assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
- Assault by beating, contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. This relates to a second woman.
Giggs became the Wales manager in January 2018 but will not take charge of the national team at this summer's Euro 2020 tournament following the charges.
He led them to qualification for the Euros — which have been re-scheduled to this summer because of the restrictions caused by Covid-19.
Giggs is also co-owner of League Two side Salford City alongside fellow former Manchester United team-mates David Beckham, Gary and Phil Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt.
- If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, go to www.womensaid.org.uk. Live Chat open daily 10am-6pm or email [email protected] Or call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline (run by Refuge) on 0808 2000 247
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