Bargain Hunt's Charles Hanson claims wife made him 'slave' as he denies domestic violence

Bargain Hunt auctioneer Charles Hanson has alleged that he was "almost a slave" to his wife, claiming she left him "a beaten and broken man" through her controlling behaviour.

The 46-year-old told Derby Crown Court that his wife, Rebecca Hanson, had the freedom "to do what she wanted", but would not allow him to watch TV in bed and falsely accused him of having athlete's foot.

The court heard allegations that Hanson used violence towards Mrs Hanson over a decade, including pushing, scratching and grabbing her.

Hanson denies charges of controlling or coercive behaviour, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and assault by beating. These charges were brought following his arrest in June 2023.

On his second day of giving evidence, Hanson refuted claims of portraying his wife as mentally ill, stating she experienced "moments and episodes". This included an incident where she alleged his crossed legs constituted abuse.

Under cross-examination from prosecutor Stephen Kemp on Monday, Hanson revealed to jurors that he had a childhood stammer and described himself as "actually a very nervous man", despite appearances suggesting otherwise.

When questioned about messages sent to his wife, including one admitting to a bad temper, Hanson claimed he had "literally tapped every word she wanted to hear" regarding "lost temper, anger management and 'completely my fault'".

Hanson asserted in court that the messages were "not the truth" but merely attempts to tell his wife what she wanted to hear, stating: "I was under the control of Rebecca. She completely ridiculed me, told me that I was rubbish every day.

"I just felt almost a slave to her and I had no option, Mr Kemp, but just almost in a way to adopt what she was saying and to appease her. And I tried it over and over. And I, in a way, was a coward. I was subservient under her - just controlled by her.

"It was my life and it was awful. My marriage was just falling apart and I would do almost anything to try and save it. I know it sounds awful but I was a beaten and broken man. Speaking here now, I think why didn't I stand up. I just stayed because as a child my family's belief was you don't get divorced in life."

During his testimony, Hanson also expressed to the jury his desire for his wife to experience "the riches of life" through her own career.

When pressed about whether he was someone who always needed to have his way, Hanson told Mr Kemp that while he liked to be in control in business matters, he would "always allow my wife to do what she wanted".

Telling the court that his wife had claimed the way he was talking or having his legs crossed amounted to abuse, Hanson said: "I would say, love what are you talking about? I would never get my own way - I was never allowed to watch television in bed."

The defendant described Mrs Hanson, a radiographer, as a talented actress with a Derby-based acting society yet also someone who was "anxious over many things in life."

When asked for his opinion on whether his wife had ever experienced delusions, Hanson replied: "I think, Mr Kemp, to be honest with you, there has been moments and episodes."

Hanson claimed that not only did his wife accuse him of abuse, but she also rejected his affection at night, telling him "just go to sleep".

"My wife would never, ever give me a hug goodnight. She would say most nights 'you have got athlete's foot, don't come near me'. I have never had athlete's foot," Hanson asserted.

The court was informed that during police interviews, the auctioneer labelled his wife a fantasist and claimed she had "mentally gone slightly awol".

He also wrote a letter to the dedicated officer for the investigation in August 2023, saying he had serious doubts about his wife's reliability and credibility and "concerns as to her mental health".

According to what was heard in court, Hanson's letter stated: "Criminal proceedings involving cross-examination could be very harmful to her mental health.

"Given the circumstances, I respectfully request that Derbyshire Police discontinue their investigation."

Mr Kemp put it to Hanson that he was trying to depict his wife as mentally unstable to the police in an effort to undermine her allegations.

Hanson retorted: "There were two occasions where it felt crazed. I was trying to explain to the police that my wife would have these moments in our marriage, which have very much resulted in why we are here today."

At the time of the letter to the police, Hanson stated, he had sought legal advice and was "two months into having been arrested at my home for an alleged domestic incident which never happened".

Hanson added: "I was at the mercy of my wife's behaviour, I was at the mercy of my wife's controlling demeanour of every day telling me I needed anger management if I ever raised my voice. I was under her control.

"There was never an attempted strangulation, let alone a headlock."

When Mr Kemp asked if his stance was that his wife had lied to the police and "came to the court to lie", Hanson told the court: "It's a very difficult question to answer but, yes, there are numerous lies in my wife's statements."

The trial continues.