Warning: This article contains discussion of domestic violence which some readers may find distressing.
'The worst incidence of controlling and coercive behaviour seen', Judge Kate Rayfield ruled as she passed her sentence.
A new true crime documentary detailing the harrowing abuse that one man went through at the hands of his wife has shocked viewers and reduced them to tears.
Titled My Wife, My Abuser, the show first aired in the UK earlier this year, and it follows the traumatic home life of Richard Spencer - who, for more than a decade, felt the wrath of his wife Sheree Spencer.
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From the outside looking in, the Spencers had the perfect life: married, with three beautiful children, living in a seven-bedroom, semi-detached home in the suburbs of the scenic city of York.
The pair met back in 2000, and shortly after, the abuse began - and it got progressively worse.
But it wasn't until they installed nanny cams around the house following the birth of their eldest daughter in 2015 that Richard was able to document the assault.
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At first, he saved the clips as 'insurance', just in case she decided to prevent him from seeing his kids in the future, but it wasn't until he showed a recording to one of his friends that the police got involved.
Richard handed over 43 photographs of injuries, 36 video clips, and nine mobile recordings of evidence to cops.
In March 2023, Judge Rayfield sentenced her to four years behind bars before stating it was ‘the worst incidence of controlling and coercive behaviour [she had ever] seen’.
Speaking in the documentary, Richard says: “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.
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“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.”
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The documentary left those who watched it emotional, as one took to Twitter, posting: "Bro I’m crying my f**in eyes out @ this my wife my abuser doc omg."
While another typed: "That new ‘my wife my abuser’ doc on Netflix [in the UK] made me cry my eyes out man. In front of the kids hate it."
If you are experiencing domestic violence, please know that you are not alone. You can talk in confidence 24 hours a day to the national domestic violence helpline on 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) 24/7.
You can also find a list of local resources here.
Topics: Film and TV, Mental Health, True crime, Documentaries, Domestic Abuse, Netflix
Joe Yates