Man Accused of Causing Wife's Suicide Through Sexual Violence and Control
A court has heard harrowing allegations that a man controlled his wife through physical and sexual violence, ultimately driving her to take her own life because she felt trapped and unable to escape the relationship.
Charges and Allegations
Christopher Trybus, 43, of Swindon, Wiltshire, is on trial at Winchester Crown Court accused of the manslaughter of his wife, Tarryn Baird. Ms. Baird died by hanging in November 2017 at the age of 34. In addition to manslaughter, Trybus faces charges of controlling and coercive behaviour and two counts of rape.
Prosecutor Tom Little KC told the jury that Trybus engaged in "extensive and escalating controlling, coercive and manipulative behaviour including sexual violence of two rapes and other sexual assaults." He alleged this conduct occurred over a sustained period during their marriage, behind closed doors.
Pattern of Coercive Control
The prosecution detailed a pattern of abuse that included:
- Using and threatening violence
- Sexual assault and rape
- Monitoring Ms. Baird's whereabouts
- Limiting her access to finances
- Threatening to reveal private information to her family
- Isolating her from family support
Mr. Little explained that Trybus controlled "many aspects of their relationship" even while abroad, using the "threat and fear of physical and sexual violence." This allegedly led to a deterioration in Ms. Baird's mental health and ultimately caused her decision to end her life.
Victim's Struggle and Final Message
The court heard that Ms. Baird, who worked at an opticians, had seriously considered leaving her husband on multiple occasions but felt unable to do so. "She had not managed to escape from him," Mr. Little stated, "constricted by his control she could never go through with leaving him, no doubt fearing the consequences if she would try to do so."
In a heartbreaking note left for her family, Ms. Baird wrote: "To my family, I am so sorry but I just couldn't take it any more. I know you may not understand this but I just can't explain the dark cloud that is over me. Please don't let this break you but know I am now free."
Background and Escalating Abuse
The couple, both originally from South Africa, moved to the UK in 2007 and married in 2009. Initially, Ms. Baird explained injuries as resulting from being "clumsy" during exercise or falling down stairs.
Her mental health struggles were documented by medical professionals. In May 2016, she told her GP she "occasionally felt life was not worth living," and by August that year was "struggling with her mental health." She had been diagnosed with possible PTSD from witnessing armed car-jacking incidents in South Africa.
As the "tsunami" of abusive incidents built up, Ms. Baird repeatedly contacted Swindon Women's Aid and her GP. She initially turned down refuge spaces when offered, only to later seek them unsuccessfully.
Specific Allegations of Violence
The prosecution detailed specific incidents, including an alleged rape on October 19, 2016, following an argument over school fees. Mr. Little stated: "He grabbed her wrists and had sex with her against her will and also hit her around the face with what she believed was a phone."
Ms. Baird also reported to a Women's Aid worker that Trybus had "strangled her causing her to pass out" after she told him she wanted to leave. A second rape was alleged to have occurred in November 2016.
Perpetrator Tactics
The court heard that Trybus, who worked as a software consultant and developer with regular international travel, allegedly told Ms. Baird's parents she was addicted to drugs and alcohol. Mr. Little described this as "classic domestic abuse perpetrator behaviour" designed to discredit her and prevent her family from believing her accounts of abuse.
Christopher Trybus denies all charges. The trial continues at Winchester Crown Court.
