Celebrity auctioneer Charles Hanson, best known for his appearances on Bargain Hunt 

and Antiques Road Trip, is currently facing a trial over allegations of coercive and controlling behavior toward his wife, Rebecca Hanson. 

During closing arguments at Derby Crown Court, prosecutor Stephen Kemp argued 

that WhatsApp messages sent by Hanson to his wife serve as confessions to the charges against him.

WhatsApp Messages Paint a Troubling Picture, Says Prosecutor

During his closing speech to the jury, Kemp highlighted a series of messages that, he claimed, provided a clear insight into the nature of Hanson’s relationship with his wife. 

Among these messages was one in which the 46-year-old auctioneer promised never to “lay a finger” on Rebecca again. Another showed him offering to attend an anger management course, while others revealed Rebecca’s own distress, with messages stating she was “fed up” with his behavior, that she had “had enough,” and that she “shouldn’t be scared of [her] husband.”

Kemp argued that these messages were sent without the sender expecting them to ever be used in a court case. He told the jury:

“They provide a clear window into the true nature of the relationship between Charles and Rebecca Hanson. It is clear that he was admitting to just the sort of behavior that is alleged against him in this trial.”

He further described Hanson as “a man who could not and did not control his temper. A man who, when he got angry with his wife, grabbed her. A man who realized that it was his behavior that was at fault.”

According to the prosecutor, the messages left no room for doubt. “There really could not be a clearer set of confessions than that, could there?” he stated, adding that Hanson was now attempting to backtrack on his own words.

Hanson’s Defense: A Different Narrative

Earlier in the trial, Charles Hanson had painted a very different picture of his marriage. He claimed that he was the one who had been controlled by his wife, describing himself as “almost a slave” in their relationship. He stated that Rebecca had made him “subservient” to her and left him feeling “beaten and broken.”

Hanson also suggested that his messages, including those in which he admitted to losing his temper, were written to satisfy his wife rather than to reflect the truth. He alleged that he had been pressured into typing out “every word she wanted to hear” regarding anger issues and responsibility.

Denying all charges, Hanson has pleaded not guilty to allegations of controlling or coercive behavior over a 10-year period, as well as charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assault by beating.

Jury Must Decide Who Is Telling the Truth

The case has presented two conflicting accounts, and Kemp emphasized to the jury that their job was to determine where the truth lies.

“You are going to have to work out where the truth lies. In working out where the truth lies, you are going to have to decide who has told you the truth and who has lied,” he said.

He argued that if Hanson had been untruthful, it was clear why—because he had something to hide. In contrast, he suggested that it would be much harder to explain why Rebecca Hanson would fabricate her allegations against him.

Kemp also cast doubt on Hanson’s claim that his wife had been seeking a divorce, stating that as recently as June 2023, she had been actively trying to save their marriage through counseling services such as Relate.

Allegations of Physical Abuse

Throughout the trial, various allegations of physical abuse have surfaced. One claim involves Hanson allegedly putting his wife in a headlock and throwing a phone at her during their marriage. The messages presented in court, according to Kemp, further supported the claim that Hanson’s actions were part of a pattern of behavior rather than isolated incidents.

What’s Next in the Trial?

The trial is now reaching its final stages. Following Kemp’s closing argument, Hanson’s defense lawyer, Sasha Wass KC, is expected to address the court on his behalf. The judge will then summarize the case before the jury begins deliberations.

As the legal battle unfolds, the outcome remains uncertain. The jury will ultimately decide whether Hanson’s messages were genuine admissions of guilt or, as he claims, words written under pressure in an effort to appease his wife. The verdict will determine whether the celebrity auctioneer is found guilty of the charges that have cast a shadow over his personal and professional life.

Follow us to see more useful information, as well as to give us more motivation to update more useful information for you.