Bargain Hunt star Charles Hanson was in court on Tuesday as he stands trial for allegedly attacking his estranged wife, Rebecca Hanson. The TV auctioneer has been accused of controlling and coercive behaviour as well as assaulting his estranged wife following his arrest in June 2023. The 45-year-old's case at Derby Crown Court is expected to last between seven and ten days. Mrs Hanson told the court her husband, who she accused of once shoving her over in the bedroom, had a “temper” and “suddenly just goes”. Speaking to jurors, Mrs Hanson said she had "started to stand up for myself" near the end of their marriage. She also said she had contacted relationship counselling service Relate.
When she was asked why she had contacted Relate, Mrs Hanson said: “Honestly? It was about time someone else knew about his behaviour. I was not prepared to stay in this marriage anymore. I just wanted to leave, I had had enough.". She continued: "I said (to the counsellor) what he had done to me, and I was tired and didn’t want him to hurt me anymore. He only went to one session with me. He promised would not hurt me anymore. It lasted three or four days.”.
Mrs Hanson told the court that Relate contacted the police to report concerns after her session with the service. She went on: "I was more than happy with that. I needed somebody to know about this. I wish I had left in 2012, that first time around my throat. "If you had known me before this, I was a sparkly, happy, jokey person. I got ground down into being absolutely worthless. I have been scared for years.".
Mr Hanson had earlier pleaded not guilty to assault and occasioning actual bodily harm between May 13 and 17 2020. He entered the same plea for engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour between May 2015 and June 2023. When he initially denied the allegations, Mr Hanson asserted: "I will be cooperating fully with the investigation and legal process.". Having become a qualified surveyor in 1999, Mr Hanson swiftly moved into Christie's ceramics and glass department. He first gained public attention with his initial stint on BBC's Bargain Hunt in 2002. At the time, he was the programme's youngest expert at just 25 years old.
