A husband initiated a 'tsunami' of domestic abuse that allegedly compelled his wife to take her own life after she requested his mother vacate their shared home, a court has been told. Christopher Trybus, 43, from Swindon, Wiltshire, faces charges of manslaughter, controlling and coercive behaviour, and two counts of rape at Winchester Crown Court, following the death of Tarryn Baird, aged 34, in November 2017.
Allegations of Systematic Abuse and Control
The trial has revealed that Ms Baird died by hanging at her residence in Swindon, leaving behind a note expressing profound sorrow: 'To my family, I am so sorry but I just couldn't take it any more.' Prosecutors assert that Trybus controlled his wife through a pattern of violence, sexual assault, threats to disclose private information, surveillance of her movements, financial restrictions, and social isolation from her family.
Trigger Incident and Escalating Violence
The court heard today that the abuse campaign commenced when Ms Baird asked Trybus's mother to move out of their house, an action that reportedly left him 'furious.' His mother had resided with the couple from August to October 2015, causing friction and exacerbating domestic tensions. Prosecutor Tom Little stated, 'Chris was furious and hadn't forgiven her. This is when the assaults started.'
A worker from Swindon Women's Aid testified that 'things escalated into physical violence' after Ms Baird's attempt to have her mother-in-law leave. In October 2016, Ms Baird confided in the worker, expressing fear that reporting the abuse—which included an incident where Trybus allegedly 'put a rope around her neck and strangled her'—would cost him his job. She reportedly said, 'She wanted to make him angry enough to kill her.'
Detailed Accounts of Abuse and Tracking
Ms Baird described multiple violent episodes to the support worker. In January 2017, she recounted an attack where Trybus strangled her with a rope until she lost consciousness, leading her to believe he thought he had killed her and fled. She also suspected he tracked her using a running app and beat her with a loft door stick. Additionally, she voiced concerns that Trybus knew 'lots of dangerous people in South Africa' and had suggested arranging an assault on her cousin's husband.
Her attempts to escape were hindered by persistent tracking; after a hospital visit for injuries, she lamented, 'How does he know I'm here? I will never get away from him, this is why I haven't come to the refuge, he will never leave me alone.' In May 2017, she briefly entered a refuge but left after receiving a call from Trybus, sharing anxieties about 'what happens next.'
Defence Claims and Counterarguments
Defending Trybus, Katy Thorne KC presented a contrasting narrative, asserting that he denied all allegations of abuse. She argued that Ms Baird fabricated claims due to mental health issues and a desire for attention, describing her as 'addicted to the attention' from making allegations. Thorne highlighted instances where Ms Baird reported injuries while Trybus was allegedly abroad, questioning the reliability of her accounts.
Regarding the sexual assault charges, Thorne contended that the couple engaged in consensual 'kinky bondage type sex,' with injuries such as neck marks attributed to a 'collar' worn during intimate activities. She emphasized, 'Theirs was a healthy, consensual marital sex life enjoyed by both of them,' and suggested that Ms Baird's suicide might have been a 'cry for help that went tragically wrong,' linked to mental health struggles and withdrawal of services rather than Trybus's actions.
Ongoing Trial and Denials
Trybus, a software consultant and developer, pleads not guilty to all charges. The trial continues as the jury weighs the conflicting testimonies and evidence. For confidential support, individuals can contact Samaritans at 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.
