Sky News programme was brought to a sudden halt today when presenter Jayne Secker shared updates on a court case. A man was found not guilty of manslaughter after his wife took her own life. Jayne told the viewers: “Let’s just bring you in for a breaking news from the court. This is Christopher Trybus, he’s been found not guilty, at the Winchester Crown Court, of the manslaughter of his wife, Tarryn Baird. He’s also been cleared of controlling and coercive behaviour and two charges of rape against her.
“He was accused of a manslaughter of his wife, who took her own life because he was alleged to [be] subjecting his wife to a tsunami of sexual and violent sexual abuse. He had denied the charges.”
She added: “It would have been the first time the jury had decided that the domestic abuse was the cause of someone’s suicide, which is why it’s so significant. But the court has found Christopher Trybus not guilty at Winchester Crown Court.”
According to BBC, throughout the five-week trial, Trybus, of Swindon, Wiltshire, denied beig abusive towards Baird and said she had lied in order to get attention from health professionals.
A jury of seven women and five men found him not guilty of all counts at Winchester Crown Court earlier, following 40 hours of deliberations.
Prior to Baird’s death in November 2017, an employee of Swindon Women’s Aid (SWA) told the court that Baird had reported multiple incidents of violence to the domestic abuse charity.
But businessman Trybus said that he travelled abroad frequently for work and was out of the country on the days of several of the allegations.
Describing how he felt in the light of the allegations, he said: “It’s such a complex feeling, I loved her dearly and she has gone and said all of these things. At no point has this ever happened, it’s such a mix of emotions, I am upset that she said these things but she is not here so I can’t be upset with her. it’s not something I can put into words.”
Judge Justice Linden thanked the jurors for their service, adding: “It was a difficult and sad case and the stakes were high for the families involved.
“We understand your task has not been an easy one and no-one should underestimate your role in these proceedings.”
For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy. For more info visit www.aafda.org.uk.
