Charles Hanson, a well-known TV auctioneer from Derby, has been acquitted of charges accusing him of assaulting his wife and engaging in controlling or coercive behavior towards her. The Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip expert, aged 46, was cleared of all allegations following a trial at Derby Crown Court. The jury delivered a unanimous not guilty verdict on Friday, bringing an end to the legal proceedings.
After the foreman announced the not guilty verdicts in court, Mr. Hanson showed his relief by smiling at his parents and giving a thumbs-up gesture from the dock. His parents, who were present in the public gallery, expressed their emotions by weeping and embracing their son once he was discharged from the dock. The judge, Martin Hurst, expressed his appreciation to the jurors for their careful consideration of the case before announcing Mr. Hanson’s acquittal.
Following his exoneration, Mr. Hanson spoke outside the court, expressing his delight at being cleared of the accusations. He described the past 18 months as extremely upsetting and expressed his gratitude towards his family for their unwavering support. Mr. Hanson emphasized his belief in justice and expressed his eagerness to move on with his life following the conclusion of the trial. Despite the impact of the trial, he remained thankful to those who stood by him throughout the ordeal.
During the three-week trial, Mr. Hanson testified that he felt controlled and subservient in his relationship with his wife, portraying himself as a victim rather than an aggressor. His wife had accused him of violent behavior, including incidents of physical assault. However, the jury, consisting of seven women and five men, ultimately acquitted Mr. Hanson after deliberating for around four-and-a-half hours. They were tasked with determining whether Mr. Hanson had been dishonest in his testimony or whether his wife had exaggerated her account of the events. The trial concluded with Mr. Hanson expressing his gratitude to those who believed in him and supported him throughout the challenging period
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