Featured Image Credit: Channel 5
Topics: UK News, Domestic Abuse, Crime
Brenna Cooper
Warning: This article contains discussion of domestic violence which some readers may find distressing
A man who experienced harrowing domestic violence in his relationship has explained the importance of recording the abuse in nanny cam videos.
For two decades Richard Spencer suffered physical, verbal, financial and psychological violence at the hands of his then-wife Sheree, which came to an end after a friend reported the abuse to local authorities.
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Sheree's abuse would include attempting to make it look like Richard was the violent spouse, leading the 48-year-old to begin documenting his attacks as evidence that the opposite was happening.
This included harrowing clips caught on a nanny cam which showed Sheree verbally and physically abusing Richard, with one clip seeing her threatening him with a knife in their children's playroom.
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Richard would later send the footage to a friend in June 2021, who reported the shocking violence to the police.
Sheree was subsequently arrested and would later admit to three offences - causing actual bodily harm between January and April 2020, as well as coercive and controlling behaviour between January 2016 and June 2021.
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She was handed a four-year prison sentence.
Richard has since shared his story publicly in order to raise awareness about domestic violence against men, working alongside the ManKind Initiative and sharing the footage of Sheree's attacks in Channel 5 documentary My Wife, My Abuser: The Secret Footage last year.
Speaking about his experience in a new interview with The Sun, Richard explained the importance of having the footage when it came to proving his experiences of abuse.
"I dread to think what would have happened if I hadn’t had the video evidence," he said of the footage.
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Sheree's attempts to paint Richard as violent had included shouting out the window that he was hurting her and sending pictures of bruises to friends.
He continued: "In the family court alone Sheree made 42 false allegations against me and tried to claim I was an abuser. The footage I collected means that she is the one in prison and that I am still part of my daughters' lives."
Richard has also urged male victims of domestic violence to reach out for help as well as his thoughts on how to support a loved one who may be experiencing abuse.
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Speaking about his experience in an interview with LADbible last November, Richard also urged anyone who believes a friend or family member is experiencing domestic violence not to confront the perpetrator.
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"One thing I would say you probably definitely shouldn't do would be not to confront the perpetrator," he explained.
"If you antagonise that person, make them aware that you know about abuse, the chances are that the abuse could escalate, and could have stark consequences. I would definitely put all your focus on being empathic and supporting the victim."
If you are experiencing domestic violence, please know that you are not alone. ManKind offers confidential support for men experiencing domestic violence on 0808 800 1170 (Freephone - which will not show on your bills) or 01823 334 244. The helpline is open weekdays 10am to 4pm (excluding bank holidays). More information is available here.