Disclaimer: The article contains mentions of domestic violence and abuse. Reader discretion is advised.
The UK’s Channel 5 recently aired a true crime documentary showcasing one of the most violent cases of domestic violence. Titled My Wife, My Abuser: The Secret Footage, it delves into the case while focussing on the 47-year-old victim, Richard Spencer.
From the surface, it looked like Richard Spencer had the ideal life. He had a successful career, was well-off, and had a seven-bedroom house. Also, he and his wife Sheree had three young daughters. Little did his friends and neighbors know Richard was a victim of abuse. For two decades, under the influence of wine, Sheree had abused and blackmailed him in various ways.
The documentary revealed extremely disturbing clips showcasing the torture Richard faced at the hands of his wife. Video footage shows Sheree holding a knife to her husband’s throat while the children are crying in the background. In another video, Sheree grabs Richard’s hair and punches him repeatedly while he lies on a sofa. Furthermore, she verbally abused him because he forgot to do household chores.
The judge who presided over this case described it as one of “the worst cases of coercive control” they had ever seen.
The synopsis of the documentary’s official trailer on YouTube reads, “This shocking documentary reveals the true story of how Richard Spencer was subjected to 20 years of abuse, from his wife. Richard tells his story in his own words, alongside a series of compelling videos, audio clips, and first-hand testimonials that give an intimate look at his harrowing ordeal.”
My Wife, My Abuser: The Secret Footage: Richard Spencer was most affected by humiliation and verbal abuse
Richard Spencer reportedly shared that he was mainly affected by the relentless humiliation and verbal abuse that his wife inflicted on him. He stated, “Things that affected me more than the physical attacks would be the more demoralizing things she would do to me.”
An audio clip captured Sheree’s verbal abuse. When Richard is washing the eggshells from his hair, his wife says, “Keep cleaning you c—. Keep cleaning you dirty b—. Keep scrubbing man, scrub away you b—.”
Richard even recalled that one of the most humiliating instances of abuse he faced was when she defecated on him. Reports suggest that once, she ordered him to get off their bed because “she bought the bed on her credit card.” When Richard sat on the floor, urging with his wife, she defecated on his head. Furthermore, an audio clip revealed Richard saying he did not deserve to be treated this way. However, Sheree only said, “Clean my s*** up.”
According to The Daily Mail, Sheree occasionally made comments about Richard’s mother, whom he lost when he was nine years old. She would bring up traumatic incidents from his childhood to emotionally hurt him. To taunt him more, she would also wish for his sister’s death.
Another disturbing audio clip showcased Sheree telling her husband, “The problem in our marriage is because of you,” because the couple took the air of IVF to conceive.
Sheree once smashed a bottle of wine on her husband’s head in anger
Per The Daily Mail, Sheree had once smashed a wine bottle out of fury on her husband’s head. His injury was so severe that his ear became permanently disfigured. Moreover, when revealed he was in pain, Sheree began kicking him in the ear.
In addition, she threatened to smash her face into their bathroom mirror to make people believe that Richard was abusing her. Sheree had apparently told him, “And once I’ve done that, I can get a restraining order against you, so you never see your baby.”
Later, the neighbors learned about Richard’s condition when he opened up to them. In the documentary, their neighbor Pip Williams recalled, “I think she had asked him to go to the shop, get wine or something, and he hesitated and looked at her. She then picked up a carving knife and slashed the car tires.” Eventually, the police arrested Sheree.
However, during her interrogation, she lied to officials, saying that it was Richard who was abusive in their relationship. Additionally, she did everything to stop the documentary from airing. Richard told MailOnline, “Sheree tried to stop the documentary being broadcast in the crown court but failed. Then, she applied for a prohibited steps order through the family court. Which luckily was rejected and thrown out at the first hearing. The broadcast has been delayed due to the legal challenges for about six months, but now it is finally going to be shown. I’m hopeful that the film will be well received and will make a difference.”
According to Hull Live, the Hull Crown Court sentenced Sheree Spencer to four years. The couple reportedly met in 2000 in a nightclub and tied the knot in 2009.
