A man has been found not guilty of the manslaughter of his wife, who took her own life.
Christopher Trybus, 44, of Swindon, Wiltshire, was acquitted by a jury at Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday.
He had been accused of causing the death of Tarryn Baird, who died by suicide in November 2017, aged 34.
He was also acquitted of two charges of rape against her and one charge of controlling and coercive behaviour.
During the trial, the prosecution alleged that Mr Trybus controlled Ms Baird by using and threatening violence towards her, sexually assaulting her, monitoring her whereabouts, limiting her access to finance, threatening to reveal private information to her family and isolating her from her family.
He was also accused of using a belt to choke her and strangling her during sex, causing her to pass out.
Giving evidence, Mr Trybus, who ran an IT company, said that he travelled abroad frequently for work and was out of the country on the dates of several of the allegations.
He also said he believed his wife had mental health issues due to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The chair of the jury of seven women and five men announced the verdicts to a hushed courtroom following 40 hours and eight minutes of deliberations.
Mr Trybus, dressed in a grey suit, blue shirt and dark tie loose at the collar, looked up at the ceiling and burst into tears as the verdicts were announced, with cries of relief also heard from the public gallery.
Outside court, he hugged his current wife, Bea, whom he married in August 2024, as both wept.
The judge, Mr Justice Linden, thanked the jurors for their service and told them: “It was a difficult and sad case and the stakes were high for the families involved, so we understand your task has not been an easy one and no one should underestimate your role in these proceedings.”
The trial heard that Ms Baird was diagnosed as probably suffering from PTSD after she witnessed violent carjackings in South Africa, where she and the defendant grew up.
The couple moved to the UK in 2007 and married in 2009 but an attempted burglary in 2015 appeared to have triggered Ms Baird’s mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, leading her to seek help from mental health professionals, the court heard.
Describing how he felt about Ms Baird in light of the allegations, he told the court: “It’s such a complex feeling. I loved her dearly and she has gone and said all of these things.
“At no point has this ever happened, it’s such a mix of emotions. I am upset that she said these things but she is not here so I can’t be upset with her. It’s not something I can put into words.”
He denied causing her injuries although he said that an injury to her neck could have been caused by a “fluffy” bondage collar that she wore on one occasion while they had what was described in court as “kinky” sex.
He told the court that he had purchased a kit from Amazon which included cuffs, rope, neck collar with leash, ball gag, a whip and blindfold.
The court was played an audio clip recorded by Ms Baird on her phone where she could be heard gasping and grunting, which the prosecution alleged was evidence of Mr Trybus attacking her during sex, but which the defendant said was just the way they had sex and did not believe she was in pain.
The national domestic abuse helpline offers support for women on 0808 2000 247, or you can visit the Refuge website. There is a dedicated men's advice line on 0808 8010 327. Those in the US can call the domestic violence hotline on 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
