Wife's Suicide Attributed to Husband's Alleged Abuse Campaign in UK Court
A tragic case unfolding at Winchester Crown Court has revealed that a woman's suicide was directly caused by a sustained campaign of physical and sexual violence perpetrated by her husband, according to prosecutors. Tarryn Baird, 34, from Swindon, Wiltshire, was found hanged at her home on November 28, 2017, leaving behind a note expressing her inability to endure further suffering.
Charges and Denials in the Trial
Christopher Trybus, 43, faces serious charges including the manslaughter of his wife, two counts of rape, and coercive and controlling behavior. He has entered a plea of not guilty to all allegations. The trial, presided over by Judge Linden, is anticipated to extend over seven weeks, delving into the harrowing details of the couple's relationship.
Escalating Abuse and Diary Evidence
Prosecutors outlined that Trybus's abusive conduct intensified over the two years preceding Baird's death. Key evidence includes diary entries from Baird, which were read aloud in court. In one poignant excerpt, she described a disturbing shift during intimate moments, noting, "One night, during sex, I felt his hands around my neck. Something was unleashed that night. Progressively, sex got rougher. The more I fight back, the more he enjoys it." She further reflected that this revealed a previously hidden aspect of her husband's character.
Specific Incidents of Violence and Control
The court heard that one alleged rape occurred following a dispute over school fees for Baird's cousin, during which Trybus is accused of strangling her before forcing himself upon her. Additionally, Trybus installed a tracking application on Baird's mobile phone to monitor her movements, even questioning the duration of her visits to a GP surgery. Baird sought medical help multiple times in the months before her death, eventually disclosing instances of violence, including an incident where Trybus tied a rope around her neck.
Failed Escape Attempts and Psychological Manipulation
In November 2016, Baird reported to her doctor that she had attempted to leave Trybus but was assaulted with a metal pole. She expressed fear about her capacity to withstand further beatings and was terrified of attempting to escape. Despite making detailed plans to flee to a women's refuge, these efforts were thwarted when Trybus, a software developer, returned unexpectedly from a business trip. He allegedly threatened to falsely inform Baird's parents of drug and alcohol addiction to discredit any future allegations of domestic abuse.
Prosecution's Argument on Causation
Tom Little KC, leading the prosecution, asserted that the cumulative effect of Trybus's coercive control, physical violence, and sexual assaults severely deteriorated Baird's mental health. "It was the control and physical violence meted out to her, including sexual violence and the threat of and fear of physical and sexual violence on his part towards her and over time, which led to a deterioration in her already weakened mental state and was, we say, a cause of her deciding that she should take her own life," Little stated emphatically.
The trial continues as the jury examines the evidence. For those affected by similar issues, support is available through organizations such as Samaritans in the UK and Ireland, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US, and Lifeline in Australia.
