Bargain Hunt auctioneer Charles Hanson cleared of abusing wife
A Bargain Hunt auctioneer accused of putting his pregnant wife in a headlock has been found not guilty of subjecting her to years of violence and coercive and controlling behaviour.
Charles Hanson's wife Rebecca told Derby Crown Court she was left 'paralysed with fear' when he 'went for' her while she was five or six months pregnant with a child that she later lost.
She claimed the alleged incident in 2012 was the start of escalating violence in her marriage to the 46-year-old television personality, known for appearances on Bargain Hunt and Flog It.
She told the court her also threatened to burn her with embers from a fire, repeatedly 'grabbed' her, locked her in a hotel room, and pushed her in series incidents over the following decade.
Hanson denied any wrongdoing, telling the court the headlock was simply a hug and he was 'almost a slave' to his wife who left him 'a beaten and broken man' by controlling him.
A jury of seven women and five men unanimously cleared him of controlling or coercive behaviour between 2015 and 2023, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assault by beating.
Mr Hanson smiled at his parents and gave a thumbs-up gesture from the dock as the not guilty verdicts were returned on Friday after a three-week trial.
The celebrity auctioneer's parents, who were sitting in the front row of the public gallery, wept and hugged their son after he was discharged from the dock.
Mr Hanson spoke of his relief outside the courtroom, telling reporters: "I'm delighted that after a year and a half the truth has finally come out.
"I can finally live my life again. I feel this burden has finally been lifted.
"It has been a tormentuous time and all I want now is to readjust to what has been such an ordeal. I am so relieved that this is all over."
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Wales Online
a day ago
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Married youth worker called young girl 'chicken nugget' and rubbed her thigh
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These messages included saying he needed someone to drink with and have fun with, asking her why she was shy, and telling her he "liked her a lot, more than I should". Sign up for our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. The girl, now a young woman, said she had not understood at the time how inappropriate his actions and messages were. She had been suicidal at times because of problems in her life and Hanson, who she knew as "Frankie" was easy to talk to. She said he told her he was not happy in his marriage and on one occasion suggested she come to his house when his wife and children were out. Asked about when he touched her, she told the hearing that she had just told him about having suicidal feelings at the time: "He put his hand on my (mid/upper) thigh and told me "everything is going to be OK". "He rubbed up and down (on my thigh) and said 'everything is going to be alright'. I was like, OK, well I've got to go now. I remember hugging and then getting out of the van." She went on to explain: "He would message me after school and would contact me as late as 11pm or 1am over Snapchat sometimes." She said these messages made her feel "uncomfortable and embarrassed" coming from someone so much older who was meant to be safeguarding her as her youth worker. In one he told her: "I need a friend with benefit who I can drink with and have fun with...I would ask you but I don't want to scare you off or freak you out." On another occasion he messaged suggesting she come to his home because he had "a free house". Child A said she was wondering how to respond when the friend with her advised: "Absolutely not, you are not going. Stay with me. Either you tell your parents or I will." Matters came to a head when Hanson asked Child A to come to his house "for a guitar lesson" because his wife and children were out. 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5 days ago
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