Auctioneer Charles Hanson faces trial for allegedly locking his wife in a hotel room during an argument in Wales.
The trial takes place at Derby Crown Court. The court heard Charles sent Rebecca messages begging her to save their marriage. Rebecca’s mom, Jacqueline Ludlam, testified.
Jacqueline noticed her daughter acting like everything was okay, even when her marriage was falling apart. Hanson’s lawyer claimed Rebecca was being dramatic and made up false allegations.
Charles is charged with assault causing harm and assault by beating. He also faces a charge for controlling and coercive behavior. The prosecution says this abuse spanned ten years. Charles Hanson denies all the charges.
Jacqueline said the first two years seemed fine, but problems started around 2012. She explained that Hanson prioritized his business above everything else and didn’t change habits after marriage. He’d often return home only to leave again.
The prosecutor asked her about the 2020 lockdown. Jacqueline wondered how Charles being home all the time would affect things. She said lockdown worsened their relationship, and outbursts became more frequent.
Rebecca sent her mom a message in November 2020 saying she couldn’t live like this, mentioning another lockdown causing problems. Jacqueline remembered seeing the text.
Jacqueline recalled a disturbing phone call and knew about the Wales holiday problem. Rebecca called around 8:45 pm, worried, and said Charles was really angry with her. Rebecca told her mom that he locked the room and drove away.
The prosecutor asked if she contacted anyone. Jacqueline contacted Charles’ dad, Philip, wanting him to know the truth about inside their home. Then, she spoke to Charles’ mom, Gillian, asking her to help fix this bad situation. Gillian said she’d talk to him, but nothing changed, the witness said. She made these calls without her daughter’s knowledge.
Hanson’s lawyer questioned her, asking about government abuse helplines and if she’d considered calling for her daughter. Jacqueline said she did not call because she considered his celebrity somehow different. The lawyer said she lied under oath and did not contact anyone because Rebecca was dramatic, claiming she was making untrue allegations.
Jacqueline said Charles is charming and charismatic, but this doesn’t reflect what goes on at home. She stated her daughter had a good lifestyle but now uses a church charity, and Hanson’s very bitter divorce involves money arguments. The lawyer stated Rebecca would not end up penniless.
The prosecutor read texts between Charles and Rebecca from 2023 after their marriage ended. He said he loved her and admitted to having a bad temper, saying it was his fault. He suggested anger management and begged for another chance, promising change. Rebecca texted back that he would never change. Charles promised he’d never hit her again and asked for one last chance to be a better husband.
The trial continues in court.