Warning: This article contains discussion of domestic violence which some readers may find distressing
Horrific nanny cam footage played a key role in a domestic violence case that a judge called the ‘worst case of coercive and controlling behaviour’ they had ever seen.
The case in question is of Richard Spencer, whose wife and the mother of his three children – Sheree Spencer – abused him for 20 years.
Sheree Spencer’s abuse of her husband was caught on nanny cam (Channel 5)
He spoke out in a Channel 5 documentary, recently added to Netflix, where he details his story in a brave choice to document the abuse he was going through.
What is the documentary about?
The documentary is called My Wife, My Abuser, and has shot straight to the top of Netflix’s charts in the UK after being added.
As well as including interviews with the domestic violence survivor, from East Yorkshire, it also includes interviews with the arresting police officers.
Sharee Spencer was arrested after a friend was called to their house and queried Richard regarding bruising they had spotted.
The documentary, which initially aired on Channel 5 earlier this year, showed body cam footage of her being arrested.
Her assaults of Richard has also been recorded on the nanny cams they had set up in their home. They were horrific, with her being seen grabbing him by the throat, spitting on him, and cutting him with a kitchen knife.
She also gave Richard cauliflower ear after assaulting him over the head with a wine bottle.
What happened to Sheree Spencer?
The woman was arrested in 2021, and two years later in 2023 she pled guilty to coercive and controlling behaviour between January 2016 and June 2021, and three occasions of assault occasioning actual bodily harm between January and April 2020.
Judge Kate Rayfield sentencing spoke of how it was one of the worst cases of this kind she’d ever seen, also going on to say: “You have caused him significant psychological harm.
“There is a history of violence and abuse against the same victim.”
Spencer was sentenced to four years in prison (Facebook/Humberside Police)
The court was shown two hours of footage of her abusive behaviour, which includes nanny cam footage in which she threatened her husband with a knife.
For her crimes, Spencer was sentenced to four years in prison, where she remains at the time of writing.
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.
You can also 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