‘Assertive’ Ryan Giggs ‘sent pics of Agent Provocateur sex toys to ex-girlfriend as they exchanged rough sex texts’

RYAN Giggs sent his ex-girlfriend a picture of an Agent Provocateur toy in texts about rough sex, a court heard today.

The former Manchester United player said Kate Greville, 38, had wanted him to be "more assertive" in text messages exchanged by the pair in September 2017.

The court heard the couple had had a row in Dubai earlier that month, in which Ms Greville alleges Giggs assaulted her.

She claims the defendant bruised her arm when he dragged her naked from their hotel bed, on to the floor and across the lounge suite before he threw her belongings outside into the corridor.

Giving evidence on day three of Giggs' assault and coercive behaviour trial at Manchester Crown Court, Ms Greville confirmed she did not tell anyone at the time about the incident and was "ashamed".

She also agreed she and Giggs exchanged "dozens"; of "incredibly affectionate" messages during a five-day period following her Dubai allegation.

Chris Daw QC, defending, read one message from the time, in which Kate Greville wrote: "I want you so badly rough."

Giggs replied: "Do you? I'm scared of hurting you."

Ms Greville responded: "I want it to hurt a little. Not in a weird way. I just want you to shock and surprise me."

Giggs said: "It's a fine line," to which Ms Greville responded: "We will just have to have fun finding that line then."

Giggs then sent a photograph of a sex toy, a paddle, in an Agent Provocateur box.

Ms Greville asked: "What is that? Xx."

Giggs replied: "You asked me to be a bit more assertive."

Ms Greville said: "I'm intrigued. When are you using this?"

Giggs sent a photo of a pair of handcuffs and said: "Just after you have used this."

Ms Greville wrote back: "Amazing," and Giggs responded: "They f***ing are."

Earlier, Kate Greville said she felt like a "slave to [Giggs'] every need and demand" and when "Ryan said do something, I would do it".

She told Chris Daw QC, cross-examining: "I was in a vulnerable position and he played on it.

"There was resistance sometimes but he made me feel like I had to do what he said, otherwise there would be consequences."

Giggs, 48, denies using controlling and coercive behaviour against Kate, 36, between August 2017 and November 2020.

The trial continues.