Television antiques expert Charles Hanson has been found not guilty of assaulting his wife, Rebecca, following allegations of domestic abuse spanning over a decade.
The 45-year-old, known for his appearances on Bargain Hunt, Flog It!, and Antiques Road Trip, was accused of controlling and violent behavior,
but a jury at Derby Crown Court unanimously cleared him of all charges.
Verdict and Hanson’s Reaction
Hanson, who had consistently denied the accusations, displayed visible relief in court as the verdict was announced.
He gave a thumbs-up from the dock before embracing his emotional mother. Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, he expressed gratitude that the ordeal was over.
“I’m delighted that after a year and a half, the truth has finally come out. I can finally live my life again. I feel this burden has been lifted,” Hanson said. He described the legal battle as “tormentuous” and emphasized his need to readjust to normal life following what he called an exhausting and distressing period.
The Allegations Against Hanson
The case centered on claims made by Hanson’s estranged wife, Rebecca, who alleged that he had assaulted her regularly throughout their ten-year marriage. Prosecutors stated that the couple’s relationship began happily after their 2010 wedding but later turned volatile, with Hanson allegedly resorting to violence every six months.
Rebecca testified that one of the most frightening incidents occurred in 2012 while she was pregnant. She claimed that an argument in their kitchen escalated into a physical altercation after she threw a small box on the floor, prompting Hanson to put her in a headlock.
Additional allegations included a claim that in May 2021, Hanson threatened to place burning embers from a fire onto his wife. Rebecca also testified that there were “around 14 or 15 different incidents” of violence or heated arguments throughout their marriage.
Hanson’s Defense
Throughout the trial, Hanson maintained his innocence, insisting that he had never been violent toward his wife. He described the alleged 2012 incident as nothing more than a “hug” and accused Rebecca of exaggerating events.
Regarding claims that he had thrown a phone at her, Hanson explained his version of the event in court:
“Rebecca was shouting, ‘Where’s the phone? Where’s the landline phone? Bring it in, it doesn’t belong here.’ I walked through the house and said, ‘Love, here’s the phone,’ and very gently, like tossing an apple or an orange, I said, ‘Catch.’ My wife put her hands out like a cup to catch it, and it went through her hands and fell to the floor. It didn’t smash.”
Hanson also claimed that he was the one who had suffered in the marriage, telling the court he felt like “almost a slave” to his wife. He insisted that Rebecca had controlled him, leaving him “a beaten and broken man.”
Court Ruling and Career Impact
After deliberating, the jury found Hanson not guilty of two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm, two counts of assault by beating, and one count of coercive and controlling behavior.
The outcome allows the antiques expert to move forward with his career, which has spanned over two decades in the auction world.
Hanson began his professional journey at Christie’s auction house in 1999, specializing in ceramics and glass. He became a familiar face on television after joining Bargain Hunt in 2002 at just 25 years old, making him the youngest expert on the team at the time.
What’s Next for Hanson?
Now that the case has been resolved, Hanson will likely focus on rebuilding his personal and professional life. While the trial cast a shadow over his reputation, his acquittal allows him the opportunity to restore his public image and continue his work in the antiques industry.
The legal battle has been a challenging chapter for the TV personality, but with the charges behind him, Hanson can now turn his attention to the future—one he hopes will be free from controversy.
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