Warning: This article contains discussion of domestic violence which some readers may find distressing.
A new true crime documentary added to Netflix this week is leaving fans in tears at the harrowing abuse one man went through.
The documentary first aired on Channel 5 earlier this year, with the abuser going to court to try and stop it being broadcast.
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Watch the trailer here:
The show in question is called My Wife, My Abuser, and details the brave story of Richard Spencer.
Spencer was abused by his wife Sheree Spencer for over a decade.
When she eventually made it to court, and was sentenced to four years in prison, the sentencing judge Kate Rayfield said it was ‘the worst incidence of controlling and coercive behaviour [she had ever] seen’.
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When police became involved, Richard Spencer handed over 43 photographs of injuries, 36 video clips, and nine mobile recordings.
Several video clips of the incidents were taken via a ‘nanny cam’ which helped catch the proof of her abusive behaviour.
She would regularly assault her husband, and one video caught on nanny cam even showed her threatening him with a knife.
She lunged at him with the knife, leaving him with a 2cm cut below his knee.
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In the documentary, the abused husband and father 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.
“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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Recently added to Netflix and shooting straight to number one on the streamer's charts, the documentary about his story has been a harrowing watch for viewers.
One tweeted: “My Wife, My Abuser is a ridiculously hard watch. The fact that she carried out all of this abuse IN FRONT OF THEIR KIDS too actually made my heart hurt. F**king awful”
Another said: “Watched My Wife, My Abuser on Channel 5 earlier this year and it still stays with me now.
“Absolutely horrific abuse and to see how long she got in prison is disgusting. That poor man, so much courage to tell his story.”
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Speaking to MailOnline regarding the documentary, Richard Spencer said: “Sheree tried to stop the documentary being broadcast in the crown court but failed.”
He went on to say after she was jailed: “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.”
My Wife, My Abuser is available to watch on Netflix now.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, please know that you are not alone. You can talk in confidence to the national domestic violence helpline Refuge on 0808 2000 247, available 24/7, or via live chat, available 10am-10pm, Monday to Friday.
Topics: Netflix, Channel 5, True Crime, Mental Health, TV, TV and Film
Michael Slavin