Former Manchester United player Ryan Giggs is expected to face a retrial next year on assault charges and controlling behaviour, a judge has ruled.
Giggs had been on trial for four weeks, but jurors were discharged last week after failing to reach a verdict following 23 hours of deliberations.
He is accused of assaulting ex-girlfriend Kate Greville, causing actual bodily harm, and using controlling and coercive behaviour against her from August 2017 to November 2020.
Also, he was charged with the common assault of Ms Greville’s younger sister, Emma. Giggs denies all the allegations against him.
Prosecutor Peter Wright QC confirmed at Manchester Crown Court on Wednesday the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will seek a retrial, with a date of July 31, 2023 being set.
The new trial date comes almost a year after the start of the first trial, and more than two and a half years after Giggs was arrested in November 2020.
Giggs, who resigned as Wales boss in June, was not present at court on Wednesday for the decision but later released a statement expressing his disappointment.
“After more than three weeks in court I am obviously disappointed that a retrial has been ordered,” the statement read.
“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.
“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.”