RYAN GIGGS: EX-MAN UTD & WALES STAR HEADBUTTED EX-GIRLFRIEND
Ex-Manchester United and Wales star Ryan Giggs "deliberately headbutted" his ex-girlfriend, a court has heard. Peter Wright QC, prosecuting, told the court Mr Giggs' private life involved a "litany of abuse, both physical and psychological". Mr Giggs, 48, denies a charge of coercive behaviour and assaulting his ex-girlfriend and her sister.
His defence counsel said the case against him was based on "distortion, exaggeration and lies". Mr Giggs is charged with controlling and coercive behaviour against his ex-girlfriend Ms Greville between August 2017 and November 2020. He is also charged with assaulting Ms Greville, causing her actual bodily harm, and common assault of her younger sister, Emma Greville, at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester, on 1 November 2020. Mr Wright, QC for the prosecution, also told the jury the abuse from Mr Giggs was "interspersed with acts of kindness and contrition". He said Mr Giggs would say she had misunderstood him, had jumped to the wrong conclusion and that he was the victim. "We say this was controlling and coercive behaviour," he added.
"This was a behaviour to gaslight her, and make her pliant and compliant."
He said the behaviour was "calculated", and was "conduct that would have an obvious and serious effect on her emotionally and physically". Standing in the dock, wearing a dark grey suit, Mr Giggs listened to the opening statements and watched as the jury of seven women and five men was selected and sworn in for the trial. The jury was told witnesses in the case will include former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and former player Gary Neville. The trial - expected to last around 10 days - will relocate to Manchester Crown Court from Tuesday and remain there for the duration.
Mr Giggs has denied all charges - the trial continues.
Tennis.
National Bank Open: Serena Williams beats Nuria Parrizas Diaz for first singles win in over a year.
- Williams claimed her first singles win in 14 months as she beat Spain's Nuria Parrizas Diaz to reach the second round of the National Bank Open in Toronto. The American great, 40, showed glimpses of her vintage ball striking in a 6-3 6-4 victory over the world number 57. Williams' last singles success was at the 2021 French Open. She will play either Olympic gold medallist Belinda Bencic or Tereza Martinco. Williams made her singles return at Wimbledon in June after a year out with injury after speculation she may retire. When asked what drove her to continue playing, she said: "I guess there's just a light at the end of the tunnel. "Lately that's been it for me. I can't wait to get to that light. I love playing, so it's amazing but, you know, I can't do this forever. "Sometimes you just want to try your best to enjoy the moments and do the best that you can."
A three-time champion at the Toronto event, Williams was given warm and vocal support by the crowd in her first hard court match since the 2021 Australian Open.She and Parrizas Diaz exchanged breaks in the early stages, before a backhand smash gave the 23-time major winner a 5-3 lead and chance to serve for the set. Williams then saved a break point of her own, before finally taking the set on another smash at the net. Although her serve and movement were not at their best, she produced some superb defence to save another break point and keep the second set on serve. That continued into a 25-minute service game that saw nine deuces, with Williams somehow coming through to hold before breaking Parrizas Diaz in the next game. After converting her first match point, Williams congratulated her 31-year-old opponent, telling her she "played really well" before acknowledging the crowd.Ther Toronto competition is one of several warm-up events for the US Open, which begins on 29 August. Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina and Simona Halep also advanced on the opening day's play.
