Court Hears Husband Strangled Wife with Belt in Alleged Rape Before Suicide
A woman who allegedly took her own life after being driven to despair by her husband had previously told a friend he strangled her with a belt while raping her, a court has heard. Christopher Trybus, 43, is accused of causing the death of his wife Tarryn Baird, 34, by subjecting her to what prosecutors describe as "extensive" acts of manipulative behaviour and sexual violence.
Friend Describes "Hollow Shell" of a Woman
Carina Silva, a childhood friend of Baird from their school days in South Africa, gave emotional testimony at Winchester Crown Court. She described how Baird became "hysteric" when recounting the alleged sexual assault by Trybus. Silva told the jury their relationship was "hostile" and that Baird appeared frightened of her husband.
"She was not my friend any more. She was a hollow shell," Silva testified, explaining that the vibrant woman she once knew had been destroyed by the abuse. "We used to laugh for hours, but she just became hollow."
Allegations of Physical and Sexual Violence
Silva detailed multiple incidents of abuse that Baird had confided in her about:
- Trybus allegedly hit Baird up to 25 times during their relationship
- Baird described being taken to a spare bedroom during an argument and raped
- She specifically mentioned being strangled with a belt during the alleged assault
- Baird reported being in significant pain afterwards, unable to move her neck
The friend tried to persuade Baird to leave with her after hearing about the alleged rape during a meeting at London's Paddington station, but Baird refused. Silva advised her to keep a diary of the abuse as potential evidence.
Photographic Evidence and Diary Entries
The court heard that Baird took 25 photographs of injuries before her death, showing bruising to her face, torso, and arm. She sent two of these photos to both her mother Michelle Baird and to Trybus himself, but received no reply from her husband.
Jurors were read diary entries in which Baird described her husband's behaviour becoming progressively rougher during sex. In one entry from early 2016, she wrote: "I will never forget the day it all overflowed and he blew up. Progressively sex got rougher and the more I fight back, the more he enjoys it."
Defence Arguments and Charges
Trybus faces multiple charges including manslaughter, controlling and coercive behaviour, and two counts of rape. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His defence team has suggested that Baird had mental health problems and that her suicide represented a "cry for help that went tragically wrong."
Trybus has insisted he "loved and cherished" his wife, claiming that any injuries were the result of consensual "kinky bondage" and "rough sex" activities. The court also heard that Baird had suffered from PTSD after witnessing two armed hijackings in South Africa before moving to the UK.
Final Hours and Investigation
In the hours before her death on November 28, 2017, Baird contacted a crisis hotline saying she "felt like ending it" and requested someone be sent to her home in Swindon, Wiltshire. Despite her phone being restored to factory settings over a year before her death, police were able to investigate data backed up to iCloud.
The couple had married in 2009 after moving to the UK together, with Baird working from home doing administrative and accounting tasks for Trybus's company. The trial continues as the court examines the complex circumstances surrounding Baird's death and the allegations against her husband.
