FORMER Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs was idolised for his skills on the pitch but behind closed doors had “a much uglier and more sinister side to his character,” a court heard today.

Jurors at Manchester Minshull Street crown court were told the 48-year-old’s private life involved a “litany of abuse, both physical and psychological, of a woman he professed to love.”

Giggs is accused of using controlling and coercive behaviour against ex-girlfriend Kate Greville between August 2017 and November 2020.

He is also charged with assaulting the 36-year-old, causing her actual bodily harm, and of the common assault of her younger sister, Emma Greville, at his home on November 1 2020.

He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

“This is a story of control and coercion of a woman who thought she was loved and respected: sadly the reality was very different,” prosecutor Peter Wright QC said. 

“Eventually, after years of turbulence, when the scales fell from her eyes, she realised she needed to remove herself from his sphere of influence.”

Mr Wright said the result of this decision to break away was the incident on November 1 2020, when Giggs is said to have lost control and headbutted Ms Greville.

While out together with friends at a Manchester hotel that evening, Ms Greville decided to terminate their relationship, said Mr Wright.

He said: “She knew that the defendant had once again been cheating on her.

“During the evening the defendant’s behaviour towards her led to her making that decision and [making] an early departure. In advance of her return home she informed her sister by text message of her plan.

“She intended to make her departure before he got back from the hotel. The plan did not work.

“As she was vacating the defendant’s home address, he came back and began arguing with her and trying to stop her leaving.”

The prosecutor said she took his phone as a “bargaining chip” to try to persuade him not to prevent her from going.

A heated argument followed and Giggs then attempted to grab her phone, said Mr Wright.

In the altercation that followed they grappled together on the floor before Ms Greville’s sister stepped in, the court heard.

Mr Wright said: “[Emma Greville] tried to pull the defendant off her sister. For her pains, the defendant, we say, deliberately elbowed her in the jaw causing her discomfort and shock that he would turn violence on to her as well her sister.

“The argument between the defendant and Kate Greville moved to the kitchen. The couple continued to argue about her mobile phone.

“At that stage, we say, the defendant entirely lost self-control and he deliberately headbutted Kate, thereby causing swelling to her lips and bruising. Emma then called the police, who attended the premises.”

Giggs stood down in June as manager of the Wales national team following a period of leave since November 2020.

The trial continues.