Trigger warning: domestic violence, physical abuse, emotional abuse.
Richard Spencer, a man from Bubwith, East Yorkshire, England, shared his devastating story of suffering abuse at the hands of his wife for 20 years in a new Channel 5 documentary.
Titled "My Wife My Abuser: The Secret Footage," the program left viewers in tears when it aired on Monday (March 18).
Highlights
- Richard Spencer opened up about being abused by his wife for 20 years in a new Channel 5 documentary.
- Richard, who suffered physical and psychological violence at the hands of Sheree, felt "trapped" by the situation.
- Video evidence of the assault eventually led to Sheree's imprisonment in March 2023.
During a series of interviews, the 47-year-old man got upset as he recalled the "most demoralizing thing" that happened to him while living with his ex-partner, Sheree.
"I was sitting on the bedroom floor because Sheree wouldn't let me sit on the bed.
"She got up to go to the toilet, and I was facing where the bathroom was; the next minute, I just realized that she defecated on my head."
Image credits: Channel 5
Following the revelation, an audio clip from the incident played in which the victim could be heard saying, "I don't deserve it."
"You do deserve it. Go and scrub away you c*** and clean my s*** up," Sheree replied, as per The Mirror.
The couple, who first met in a club in 2000, had installed a nanny cam in 2015 following the birth of their eldest daughter.
Hidden camera footage shows further distressing instances of abuse. In one video, viewers can see Sheree spitting at Richard and grabbing him by the throat.
Richard also required stitches after an incident where she hit him on the back of the head with a wine glass, permanently disfiguring one of his ears.
"She used repeated acts of physical assault, threats, verbal abuse, and humiliation to punish and exercise control over me," the victim said
Image credits: Channel 5
To document the abuse, he handed 43 photographs of injuries, 36 video clips, and 9 mobile recordings over to the police. A friend of his convinced him to do so after noting a bruise on Richard's body.
Richard started secretly recording the abuse because he felt like it would serve as "insurance" in the future in case Sheree tried to prevent him from seeing their three children.
Throughout their marriage, she repeatedly threatened to tell the police that she was the one being abused, even screaming, "Stop it, stop it, Richard, you're hurting me," hoping their neighbors would believe her lies.
Whenever he tried to defend himself, Sheree would threaten to hurt herself so she could tell a friend or neighbor that Richard had caused the injury.
During a point in the interview, the father-of-three recalled Sheree telling him, "And once I've done that, I can get a restraining order against you, so you never see your baby."
Richard required stitches after an incident where Sheree hit him on the back of the head with a wine glass
Image credits: Channel 5
In March 2023, Sheree got a four-year prison sentence at Hull Crown Court after she admitted to controlling and coercive behavior and three assaults causing actual bodily harm, according to Express UK.
Judge Kate Rayfield reportedly told the court this was "the worst case of controlling and coercive behavior" she had ever seen.
"I felt so trapped for lots of reasons. If it had not been for my friend, I'm not sure what would have happened," Richard told The Sun.
"I have become resigned to the fact that I will never fully recover from her abuse and that it will have a permanent damaging impact on mine and my family's life," he explained.
"Sheree's abuse towards me evolved and escalated over time; she used repeated acts of physical assault, threats, verbal abuse, and humiliation to punish and exercise control over me.
"The abuse was hidden from the outside world, including friends and family.
"Sheree manipulated me into believing that I was a responsible and willing participant in the abuse.
"She remorselessly proclaimed that I deserved to be punished and that it was a justifiable consequence of me disappointing her in some way."
Sheree was sentenced to four years in jail in March 2023
Image credits: Channel 5
Channel 5 viewers reacted to the cruel footage, taking to social media to express their support for Richard.
"I hope that after this has aired on TV, any MAN who suffers any sort of domestic violence doesn't feel ashamed or alone to speak out. I hope it helps others come forward," someone wrote. "YOU matter, and how you are treated matters #Mywifemyabuser."
"This poor, poor man. There must be many men out there suffering. I hope they come forward. #MyWifeMyAbuser," another person said.
A separate viewer wrote, "This is horrific viewing. 20 years of this man's life down the drain at the hands of the vilest woman #mywifemyabuser."
"It's crazy to think if she actually said it was him and he hadn't gotten his own evidence. She'd probably have gotten away with this. Breaking my heart #mywifemyabuser," somebody else theorized.
Watch the trailer for the documentary below
"Heartbreaking. He is a survivor and stronger than he thinks. So glad he got away. I hope it makes more men speak out," another social media user expressed.
"This was the saddest thing watching what you went through. She was pure evil, and you didn't deserve what she did to you," a separate person added.
Richard now helps the Mankind Initiative charity, which supports men who have survived domestic abuse.
His goal is that his documentary will inspire more victims to step forward with their stories and seek justice.
"I truly hope he is able to heal and enjoy his life and children," a viewer expressed
