TV auctioneer Charles Hanson faces trial. He is accused of assault and coercive control over a decade.
Prosecutors claim the abuse lasted ten years, starting around two years into the marriage. He allegedly headlocked her and threw a phone. Pushing and prodding also allegedly occurred.
Rebecca sent messages to her mother stating Hanson left her bruised, mentioning assaults and describing him as having “blown”. Hanson told her he could get help for his anger.
Hanson denies all charges against him, which include assault and coercive behavior. These events allegedly occurred in Quarndon, where the couple lived on Church Road.
Stephen Kemp, the prosecutor, spoke to the jury about the case. Hanson and Rebecca married in 2010, and the marriage seemed happy at first, but things changed over time.
Kemp claims Hanson became violent around 2012. Rebecca estimates violence occurred every six months, spanning the next ten years.
The violence never required medical help, and she didn’t suffer broken bones. He often grabbed her hard, leaving marks on her body.
Rebecca confided in both mothers about the problems. Gillian Hanson is Charles’ mother, and by early 2023, Rebecca felt she needed to leave. She told Gillian her feelings.
Gillian suggested marriage counseling, to which Rebecca agreed. They saw a counselor from Relate in May before police became involved.
Prosecutors claim Hanson’s behavior was controlling, causing Rebecca to fear him. She worried he would use violence again, and he knew his behavior impacted her.
On March 24, 2020, they argued during lockdown, and Hanson threw a phone at Rebecca, hitting her leg. She texted her mother about it, and he yelled he would divorce her.
Rebecca also texted her mom the day before, writing that Charles was nasty. She felt she might need a plan to leave as they were stuck at home together.
By May 2023, they were talking about breaking up. On May 11, Charles texted Rebecca that he didn’t want to break up. She replied, “Then don’t chuck your wife around.” He texted back, “I won’t ever again”.
On May 23, Rebecca messaged that she was fed up with him grabbing her. Charles replied, asking for change and vowing to “start from now”.
On May 25, Charles asked for a chance to show he could be good. Rebecca replied that his actions were wrong, implying his behavior wasn’t good.
On June 11, he sent another message stating he would never hurt her and mentioned anger management, saying he could attend sessions.
The trial is still ongoing.