The ex-wife of football legend Shay Given is embroiled in a legal dispute with her ex-husband over whether or not she should return an Aston Martin and a £300,000 engagement ring.
Jane Given, age 47, argues she should be entitled to keep the £200,000 supercar and extravagant ring because they were “gifts” from her ex-boyfriend, businessman Andrew Ralph, despite breaking off their engagement and breaking up.
The former model began seeing Mr Ralph, 54, in February 2018, after separating from Shay, a Premier League and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper with whom she shares two children, in 2013.
During their engagement, he bought her an identical Aston Martin DBX to the one he already had “so they could have matching automobiles” in “matching colors.”
During a December 2019 vacation in Barbados, Mr. Ralph reportedly presented her with an engagement ring valued at about $300,000.
Ms. Given ended the relationship in December 2020, and her ex-boyfriend is now suing her to retrieve the ring and the automobile.
Jane Given, age 47, is engaged in a legal dispute over whether she should return a £200,000 Aston Martin and a £300,000 engagement ring to her ex-fiance Andrew Ralph.
Andrew Ralph, 54, (pictured) stated his ex-fiancee Jane Given should return a £200,000 Aston Martin and a £300,000 engagement ring since they were “wedding gifts” and the wedding never took place.
He argues the vehicle was a “wedding gift,” and because the wedding did not occur, he is entitled to its return.
His attorneys further asserted that it was “explicitly and/or tacitly understood” that the defendant would return the ring if the marriage did not proceed.
Ms. Given, however, is contesting the matter, arguing that both the ring and the supercar were ‘gifts’ that her ex-spouse has no legal right to reclaim.
In the court struggle between the former couple over who owns the £500,000-worth of stuff, WhatsApp chats are now expected to play a pivotal role as evidence.
Mr. Justice Freedman, delivering a ruling at a preliminary hearing at the High Court in London, stated that he had been shown “several WhatsApp messages” between the former couple “which are believed to be indicative of the parties’ intent.”
He stated that Ms. Given “relies on” the WhatsApp communications “as proof” that the car and ring were given to her as a “complete gift” and so cannot be retrieved by her ex.
The judge continued, “For example, on Monday, October 19, 2020, with images of the automobile, Mr. Ralph wrote “It’s your car! Xx” and “Just enjoy your vacation and I’ll have it on the drive for your return” and “Amazing wedding gift and amazing timing so thrilled x.”
Ms. Given (above) is the ex-wife of Irish football hero Shay Given, with whom she is currently engaged in a legal dispute.
Mr. Ralph’s ex-girlfriend Jane Given purchased him a £200,000 Aston Martin (shown) during their nearly three-year relationship.
However, he went on to suggest that Mr. Ralph also relied on WhatsApp proof to support his claim.
Within hours of the defendant leaving him, Mr. Ralph said in a WhatsApp: ‘I’m scheduled to land on Friday and will collect my car, my belongings, and return the ring so it can be sold.
As a gentleman, I will return £80,000 and half of the money (which pays for school expenses). Good night,’ replied the judge.
Mr. Ralph further notified Ms. Given via email that he would be visiting her residence in the United Kingdom to get the DBX, stating: “DBX – this was intended to be a wedding gift.”
“There has been and will be no wedding, and the car is registered in my name and so remains mine.” I will pick it up on Saturday. He also claimed the engagement ring, claiming he would split the money as a gesture of goodwill.
Ms Given’s attorneys responded to her ex, stating, “With regard to the DBX car, we understand your client had this manufactured for her and gifted it to her, replete with a registration number. Our client was also provided the engagement ring.
Mr. Ralph’s attorneys responded, “Although the automobile was supposed to be a wedding gift, the wedding never took place.” The automobile was not given to your client under the circumstances.
The judge explained the ring controversy as follows: ‘The claimant asserts that it was either expressly or implicitly agreed that the defendant would return the engagement ring if the marriage did not continue.
This is contested: the defendant disputes that there was any such arrangement and argues that the ring was simply given as a gift.
Ms. Given asserts that the things, valued at £500,000, were given to her as presents, and that her ex has no right to reclaim them at this time.
Mr. Ralph filed a motion for summary judgment about the car, requesting that it be returned to him without the need for a full trial.
However, Mr. Justice Freedman stated that the issues were too complex to be resolved without a trial.
He stated, “This case is the result of the relationship between Andrew Ralph and Jane Given.”
They became engaged, however their relationship ended prior to their wedding.
They both appreciated luxury automobiles. There are disagreements between the parties as to what promises or presents, if any, the claimant made or gave to the defendant.
Rejecting Mr. Ralph’s petitions, he stated, “I have determined that the defendant has at least a reasonable chance of success in fact and in law in defending the claimant’s claims and in pursuing her counterclaims.”
“For the reasons stated above, the claimant’s motion for summary judgment on the DBX and related items must be denied.”
Unless they can settle out of court beforehand, the former lovers will now confront each other in a full trial.
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