Woman Allegedly Driven to Suicide by 'Tsunami' of Abuse Told GP Husband Was 'Very Dangerous'
A woman who was allegedly driven to suicide by a 'tsunami' of abuse from her husband told her GP he was 'very dangerous' and felt he would 'always find her'. Christopher Trybus, 43, of Swindon, Wiltshire, is accused of the manslaughter of Tarryn Baird, who took her own life aged 34 in November 2017. The trial at Winchester Crown Court has heard harrowing details of the case, with prosecutors alleging a relentless campaign of abuse.
Prosecution Details Alleged Abuse and Injuries
Prosecutors alleged that Trybus carried out an extensive and escalating campaign of controlling, coercive, and manipulative behaviour against his wife, including sexual violence such as two rapes and other assaults. Ms Baird, who worked at an optician's, died of hanging and left a note reading: 'To my family, I am so sorry but I just couldn't take it any more.' The court heard that Trybus, who ran a profitable software business, also faces charges of controlling and coercive behaviour and two counts of rape, all of which he denies.
Tom Little KC, prosecuting, read out notes from Ms Baird's GP, Dr Tessa Jones, detailing physical injuries observed between January and July 2016. Ms Baird initially claimed these injuries resulted from fainting or falling while exercising at home. However, Dr Jones recorded that Ms Baird was 'determined to get out of [the] relationship, aware he's very dangerous' in late 2016. The GP noted friction burns on Ms Baird's back from being dragged along the ground.
In January 2017, Ms Baird reported to Dr Jones that Trybus had put a rope around her neck and tightened it, stating she was 'aware of [the] dangers of staying, but feels [the] dangers of leaving are greater'. The following month, she told the doctor she had changed the locks but didn't feel able to leave, fearing he would 'always find her'.
Defence Claims Allegations Were Fabricated
Defending Trybus, Katy Thorne KC told the jury that Ms Baird presented a 'facade' to health professionals and was 'addicted to the attention' from making allegations. She emphasised that this is a tragic case where a young woman died by suicide, but argued that Trybus never abused his wife, instead loving and cherishing her deeply. The defence claims Ms Baird fabricated allegations due to mental health problems and for attention, with some incidents occurring when Trybus was out of the country.
Ms Thorne suggested that injuries, such as one on Ms Baird's neck, were from consensual activities like bondage and rough sex, which were part of a healthy marital sex life. She argued that allegations of financial control and isolation were false, and that health professionals were misled by Ms Baird's troubled mind seeking care. The defence posits that Ms Baird's suicide may have been a 'cry for help that went tragically wrong', driven by mental health issues and withdrawal of services, not Trybus's actions.
Further Evidence and Counselling Reports
For the prosecution, Rebecca Fairbairn informed the court that Ms Baird saw a counsellor, Julie Chivers, from March 2016. On September 21, 2016, Ms Baird told Ms Chivers that Trybus had tried to strangle her, leading to a police report. Ms Baird stopped seeing the counsellor after this. In September 2017, she told a Swindon Women's Aid worker that 'she can't believe she's still alive', alleging Trybus had tried to drown her and beaten her with a metal bar. She died by hanging two months later.
The trial continues as the jury weighs the conflicting accounts. Trybus denies all charges, insisting he 'loved and cherished' his wife and that her allegations were demonstrably false. The case highlights complex issues of domestic abuse, mental health, and legal accountability in tragic circumstances.
