Ryan Giggs trial: Video of footballer’s arrest played to court as 999 call describes ‘blood everywhere’ | Football News
3 min read
Ryan Giggs had « blood around his mouth » after he allegedly headbutted his ex-girlfriend, a court has heard, as the footballer’s assault trial was shown video footage of his arrest.
The court was also played two 999 calls recorded when officers responded to reports of a « domestic disturbance » at the home of the former Manchester United star in November 2020.
Giggs is accused of using controlling and coercive behaviour against his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville over a three-year period, as well as assaulting her and her sister Emma.
He denies the charges against him.
In the first call made at 10.05pm on 1 November 2020, Emma Greville can be heard telling the 999 operator: « Please can you come quickly. »
She adds: « He’s just headbutted her in the face. You’ve headbutted my sister. »
A woman can be heard crying in the background before Emma Greville tells the call operator she thinks Giggs « might have done a runner ».
She adds: « He headbutted her lip I think. She has got blood everywhere. »
More crying can be heard in the background and the call operator asks why the alleged victim is screaming.
« Because she’s in so much pain, » Emma Greville replies.
« She’s been headbutted in the lip. »
In a second 999 call, which began at 10.11pm, Emma Greville tells the operator that the alleged offender is « Ryan Giggs, footballer Ryan Giggs ».
The operator responds: « As in the Ryan Giggs? »
She replies: « Yes. »
Emma Greville later adds: « He’s coming back now. Can you come quick please?
« Because he’s said he’s going to headbutt me. He’s coming back. »
In the background, Giggs can be heard saying: « Kate, all I wanted was my phone, now we will be… »
The 999 call operator asks Emma Greville if an ambulance is needed and if the alleged victim has broken her jaw.
She replies: « I couldn’t say. He headbutted her right in the face so I can’t say.
« He’s screaming and shouting. I need them to come quickly. »
In a statement read to the court, a police officer called PC Howarth said that when he arrived at the property Giggs was at the door and « had blood around his mouth ».
He said Kate Greville was sitting on the floor of the kitchen and was « visibly upset ».
« I could see straight away she had a swollen top and bottom lip with significant bruising, » the officer said.
Police bodycam footage that shows an officer walking into Giggs’ property as he stands near the door was also played in court.
Giggs, wearing a white shirt, tells the officer he has been out for a meal with his then-partner and had a « few drinks in town », while her sister looked after their dog at the house.
He says he and Kate Greville have had an argument and she had « accused me of a couple of things ».
Giggs tells the officer that he had asked her to leave the property and she had his phone and they « got into a little bit of a tangle ».
He says he tried to get his phone off her and there was a « struggle on the floor ».
Giggs says « she kicked me in the head » and « bust my lip ».
The officer asks: « What’s your name, mate? »
He replies: « Ryan Giggs. »
An officer tells Giggs there is « an allegation of assault » and the ex-footballer is going to be arrested and taken to a police station.
There is no reaction from Giggs as the officer speaks to him.
In the footage he is then walked to a police van, which he gets into.
Giving evidence in court, PC Billington, who arrested Giggs, said he believed he was « intoxicated » because he was slow responding to questions and his « eyes appeared slightly glazed ».
The trial at Manchester Crown Court continues.
