Ryan Giggs cuts a casual figure as he enjoys an al fresco lunch with a pal

Ryan Giggs was seen enjoying an al fresco lunch with a pal at The Garden Vegan Cafe in Hale Village, Cheshire on Wednesday, amid his upcoming assault and coercive control trial.

The former Manchester United footballer, 47, cut a casual figure in a white T-shirt and a pair of black shorts as he sat outside with a friend and his dog.

Ryan appeared in good spirits as he enjoyed a hot beverage and whiled away the afternoon in the cafe. 

Lunch: Ryan Giggs was seen enjoying an al fresco lunch with a pal at The Garden Vegan Cafe in Hale Village, Cheshire on Wednesday, amid his upcoming assault and coercive control trial

The sportsman was seen chatting away to his pal as they made the most of the nice weather. 

Ryan will go on trial in January next year accused of deliberately headbutting his ex-girlfriend and controlling her throughout their relationship. 

The Wales manager denies assaulting 36-year-old PR executive Kate Greville at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester, on November 1, and then hitting her younger sister, Emma, during the same alleged incident. 

Ryan has also been charged with controlling and coercive behaviour over his relationship with Ms Greville, with prosecutors alleging the abuse lasted almost three years. 

Chilled: The former Manchester United footballer, 47, cut a casual figure in a white T-shirt and a pair of black shorts as he sat outside with a friend and his dog

Chilled: The former Manchester United footballer, 47, cut a casual figure in a white T-shirt and a pair of black shorts as he sat outside with a friend and his dog

A hearing in May at Manchester Crown Court’s plea and trial preparation session was told that he will go on trial at on January 24. 

At his previous appearance in the dock at Manchester Magistrates’ Court three charges against him were read out and he entered not guilty pleas. 

Prosecutor Andrea Griffiths said there was a pattern of ‘controlling behaviour’ from the ex-United star between December 2017 and November 2020.

She added that Ryan ‘isolated’ Kate from her ‘work colleagues and friends’ and he subjected her to ‘degrading treatment’ designed to ‘keep her in the relationship’. 

Chit chat: Ryan appeared in good spirits as he enjoyed a hot beverage and whiled away the afternoon in the cafe

Chit chat: Ryan appeared in good spirits as he enjoyed a hot beverage and whiled away the afternoon in the cafe

Outing: The ex footballer happily chatted away with a pal as they sat outside the cafe

Outing: The ex footballer happily chatted away with a pal as they sat outside the cafe

Upcoming: His lunch comes as he's set to go on trial in January next year accused of deliberately headbutting his ex-girlfriend and controlling her throughout their relationship

Upcoming: His lunch comes as he’s set to go on trial in January next year accused of deliberately headbutting his ex-girlfriend and controlling her throughout their relationship

‘There was a fear of violence on many occasions… if she challenged him or tried to break away, there were threats of physical or professional harm,’ Ms Griffiths said. 

Ryan had been bailed to appear at Manchester Crown Court last month with conditions to not contact Kate or Emma Greville or go to any address where they are.

The last hearing, lasting 13 minutes, dealt with procedural matters as the case was sent to the crown court for the further hearing.   

Charges: Wales manager Ryan Giggs arrived at Manchester crown court on assault charges in May

Charges: Wales manager Ryan Giggs arrived at Manchester crown court on assault charges in May

Ms Griffiths, prosecuting, said the charges were too serious to be dealt with by the magistrates court and requested that the trial be sent to the crown court.

Ms Griffiths said: ‘The crown says these matters are not suitable for summary trial and should be allocated to the crown court.’

Ian Lewis, defending, said he did not have any submissions to make about where the trial should be allocated.

Deputy Senior District Judge Tan Ikram directed that the trial should be heard at Manchester Crown Court.

Judge Ikram said: ‘I accept the crown submissions at this stage that these matters should be allocated to the crown court.’  

Court: Ryan arrived at Manchester Crown Court where he appeared on charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm to his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville, common assault to her sister Emma Greville, and controlling or coercive behaviour

Court: Ryan arrived at Manchester Crown Court where he appeared on charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm to his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville, common assault to her sister Emma Greville, and controlling or coercive behaviour

Ryan had found love again with lingerie model Zara Charles who has ‘supported’ him through the charges. 

Police were called to Ryan’s address at 10.05pm on November 1 to reports of a disturbance. A woman in her 30s was treated for injuries at the scene.

The former footballer was arrested and later bailed pending further inquiries.

Ryan met Kate in 2013 after she helped promote his Hotel Football venue, launched with ex-United teammate Gary Neville.

Ryan went public with the relationship with Ms Greville in 2018 after whisking her away for a holiday in Italy, eight months after his divorce. 

He divorced his wife Stacey in December 2017 and they finalised a £40million settlement after he cheated on her with model and Big Brother star Imogen Thomas during their 10-year marriage. 

Ryan has missed Wales’ recent Nations League fixtures, following his arrest late last year. 

In April 2018 Ms Greville was appointed head of PR and communications for GG Hospitality, the hospitality management firm co-owned by Ryan and former United team-mate Gary Neville. 

Statement: The Wales manager missed his country's recent Nations League fixtures, following his arrest late last year

Statement: The Wales manager missed his country’s recent Nations League fixtures, following his arrest late last year 

She was involved in the launch of their Stock Exchange Hotel in Manchester city centre before she took up a new PR consultancy post last July with a former employer.

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has announced caretaker boss Robert Page will manage the country at this summer’s European Championship finals.

Ryan won 64 caps for Wales and had a glittering playing career with Manchester United, winning 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, four FA Cups and three League Cups.

He is also a co-owner of League Two side Salford City.

Ryan initially stood down from managing the Welsh national team following his arrest in November. 

The Welsh FA then announced caretaker boss Robert Page would continue to manage the side at this summer’s European Championship finals.

Career: The former winger won 64 caps for Wales and had a glittering playing career with Manchester United, winning 13 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, four FA Cups and three League Cups

Career: The former winger won 64 caps for Wales and had a glittering playing career with Manchester United, winning 13 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, four FA Cups and three League Cups

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