FROM the outside, Sheree Spencer appeared to be an upstanding woman with the perfect family life in York – but recordings would reveal otherwise.
Behind the scenes, Sheree subjected her husband to years of physical and mental abuse. Here’s everything you need to know.
1
Who is Sheree Spencer?
Sheree Spencer worked at the highest levels for HM Prison and Probation Service.
She was a project manager in the department’s directorate of strategy and performance.
The mother of three would attend senior meetings and was close pals with former PM Boris Johnson.
Where is Sheree Spencer?
Spencer was jailed for four years at Hull Crown Court in March 2023.
She was transferred out of high-security HMP New Hall, West Yorks, to Askham Grange open prison near York in the following July.
HMP Askham Grange in North Yorkshire is one of only two women’s open prisons in the country housing just 128 prisoners.
Inmates are usually only sent to the open prison to complete the last part of their sentence.
The worst case of coercive and controlling behaviour I have seen”.
The judge
What did Sheree Spencer do?
Sheree was jailed for physically and verbally denigrating her husband Richard Spencer daily for 20 years.
The couple met at a club in 2000 and got married nine years later in the Phi Phi Islands in Thailand.
They had three daughters and lived in a seven-bedroom home in a countryside village.
The offences took place between 2016 and 2021.
When authorities began investigating the abusive relationship, Richard handed over 43 images of bruises inflicted on him by his wife to the police.
During one of the assaults, he was spat at and grabbed by the throat.
In another attack, he was struck with a wine bottle, causing permanent injuries to his ear and elbow.
Sheree would make him lie to his family about where the injuries were from.
How To Get Help:
You do not have to wait for an emergency situation to find help.
It’s important to tell someone and remember you’re not alone.
The NHS website states that you can:
- Talk to a doctor, health visitor or midwife
- Men can call Men’s Advice Line on 0808 8010 327 (Monday to Friday 10am to 8pm), or visit the webchat at Men’s Advice Line (Wednesday 10am to 11.30am and 2.30pm to 4pm) for non-judgemental information and support
- Men can also call ManKind on 0182 3334 244 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm)
- Anyone can call Karma Nirvana on 0800 5999 247 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) for forced marriage and honour crimes. You can also call 020 7008 0151 to speak to the GOV.UK Forced Marriage Unit
- In an emergency, call 999
In court, the judge described the relationship as “the worst case of coercive and controlling behaviour I have seen”.
PC Adele Jenkinson of Humberside Police said: “I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Mr Spencer’s strength, courage and patience throughout the criminal investigation and hope that this custodial sentence gives him, his friends and family some closure so that they can move forward and look towards a happier future.
“Sheree Spencer is an abusive and violent woman who subjected her husband to years of abuse. The offences were committed over a prolonged period of time and were regular, with several being carried out in a single day.
“I hope this outcome demonstrates to anyone affected by domestic abuse and violence that, no matter who you are, we will listen, support and take positive action to deliver justice.”
Richard shared his story in a documentary for Channel 5 called My Wife, My Abuser: The Secret Footage.
The documentary aired on Monday, March 18, 2024, at 10 pm.
Richard decided to share his story in a bid to raise awareness about other male victims of domestic abuse.