'VILE ABUSE'
‘Controlling’ Bargain Hunt star Charles Hanson ‘assaulted his wife every six months for 10 years & put her in headlock’
Police were called to auctioneer's former marital home last summer
BARGAIN Hunt star Charles Hanson assaulted his wife every six months for ten years and put her in a headlock, a court heard.
The TV auctioneer, 45, is accused of five offences in total after police were called to the £1.5million family home last June.
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Hanson, who also appears on Flog It! and Antiques Road Trip, is on trial at Derby Crown Court.
Jurors heard he married wife Rebecca in 2010 - two years after they first met.
Stephen Kemp, prosecuting, said the marriage "started off happily" but the auctioneer began "using violence against his wife".
The court was told the first incident took place in 2012 in the kitchen of the couple's home following a row.
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Rebecca had thrown an empty box on the floor when Hanson "ran towards her, put his arm around her neck and then put her into a headlock", it was said.
Mr Kemp said: "He held his arm around her neck, under her chin from behind her, for a few seconds before just letting go. Rebecca did not lose consciousness, but she was understandably scared and shocked by what her husband had just done to her.
"When she spoke to him afterwards, he told her he felt he had to restrain her
"That is not accepted by either Rebecca Hanson or the Prosecution - there was no need to restrain her at all, and certainly not by means of a headlock."
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This pattern of violence continued every six months over the "next ten years or so", it was said.
In an alleged assault in 2015, Hanson gripped his wife so hard in the middle of a row that she was left with three fingertip bruises on her arm.
Rebecca was too scared to call the police but did phone her dad and took photos of her injuries, the court was told.
On another occasion on March 24, 2020 - the second day of lockdown - Hanson threw a phone at Rebecca, jurors heard.
She had messaged her mum Jacqueline Ludlum the night before, saying: "Just to let you know that Charles is being pretty nasty to me at the moment.
"If I get to the point where we are stuck in the house together for ages I think I will need to make a plan for the children and I to go somewhere else."
BEDROOM 'ATTACK'
The court was told Rebecca sent her mum another message on May 16, 2020, after Hanson scratched her wrist when she grabbed his phone to stop him filming her.
She said her husband was "very angry again" and began noting down the dates of the various alleged attacks.
Mr Kemp said: "The violence was never such that she ever felt that she needed to seek medical attention, She is not alleging she ever suffered any broken bones or the like.
"Rather, it would usually take the form of Mr Hanson grabbing hold of her and doing so with sufficient force so as to often leave marks on her."
On May 1, 2023, Hanson stormed into their bedroom when Rebecca was ill and shoved her, the court was told.
He then allegedly pushed her again before leaving when she threatened to call the police.
Rebecca then messaged her mum saying she was "tired of being scared of him".
She added: "Need some help, this evening Charles pushed me forcefully with both hands to my shoulders twice knocking me backwards.
"He’s never done that before."
Jurors heard Rebecca also messaged her mother-in-law Gillian Hanson to tell her she would be leaving Hanson.
Gillian suggested they go to marriage counselling, which Rebecca "reluctantly" agreed to.
After speaking with a counsellor on May 18 that year, the police became involved in their relationship, it was said.
She sent her husband a message, saying: "I shouldn't be scared of my husband - they are meant to protect you not hurt you."
Hanson told his wife, "Sorry. I just don't want us to break up", to which she replied: "Then don't chuck your wife around."
The auctioneer responded: "I won't ever again."
BARGAIN HUNT FAME
Hanson is charged with two counts of of assault causing actual bodily harm and one of controlling and coercive behaviour.
The TV star, who denies the charges, is also accused of two counts of assault by beating.
The star, who first appeared on Bargain Hunt in 2002, was charged on December 14.
Police had been called to his six-bedroom home in a picturesque Derbyshire village in the summer.
It is understood Hanson has since moved out of the house, which he shared with Rebecca, 40, since 2014.
Hanson's career started in the ceramics and glass department at Christie’s in 1999.
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He appeared on Bargain Hunt in 2002 and became the youngest expert on the team aged 25.
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