Former Manchester United footballer and ex-Wales manager, Ryan Giggs, has been acquitted of allegations of assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Kate Greville, and her sister, Emma.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) withdrew the charges against Giggs during a hearing at Manchester Crown Court. The 48-year-old sports personality had consistently denied the accusations of assault and controlling or coercive behavior towards Kate Greville, as well as the assault of her sister, Emma.

Judge Hilary Manley directed that Giggs was not guilty on all three counts. The decision came after the jury failed to reach verdicts during his four-week trial in August the previous year, despite more than 20 hours of deliberations.

The planned retrial, scheduled to start on 31 July at Manchester Crown Court, was rendered unnecessary as the CPS decided not to proceed with the case. Kate Greville expressed her unwillingness to testify in a retrial, citing the toll it had taken on her and her sister during the initial proceedings.

Ryan Giggs was not present in court on the day of the decision, as the judge had previously agreed that his attendance was unnecessary.

With the charges now withdrawn, Giggs can move forward without the cloud of legal allegations hanging over him.