A HUSBAND has been found not guilty of killing his wife after she was allegedly driven to suicide by a “tsunami of abuse”.

Christopher Trybus was charged with manslaughter after Tarryn Baird was found hanged at home in Swindon, Wiltshire, at the age of 34.

The 43-year-old allegedly trapped her in an abusive relationship by isolating her from friends and family, controlling her finances and monitoring her whereabouts.

Trybus was also accused of twice raping Tarryn and threatening her with violence in a twisted bid to make her stay.

The abuse was said to have led to a deterioration in Tarryn’s “already weakened mental state” and was a “cause of her deciding that she should take her own life”.

Trybus has now been found not guilty of manslaughter, controlling and coercive behaviour and two charges of rape against her.

It would have been a historic first for England and Wales if the jury had concluded that Trybus was criminally liable for Tarryn’s suicid.

Winchester Crown Court heard the couple, both from South Africa, moved to the UK in 2007 and married in 2009.

Trybus was accused of carrying out “extensive and escalating controlling, coercive and manipulative behaviour including sexual violence of two rapes and other sexual assaults”.

Husband accused of driving wife to suicide with 'tsunami' of abuse cleared of rape and manslaughter | LBC

He allegedly controlled “many aspects of their relationship” using the “threat and fear of physical and sexual violence” to make Tarryn stay.

The court heard that in November 2017, Tarryn was found dead alongside a heartbreaking note.

It read: “To my family, I am so sorry but I just couldn’t take it any more.

“I know you may not understand this but I just can’t explain the dark cloud that is over me.

“Please don’t let this break you but know I am now free. Nothing any of you could have done could have changed this, please just know that.

“I love you and please forgive me.”

Tom Little KC, prosecuting, told jurors Tarryn had “not managed to escape” her husband – “despite seriously considering doing so on a number of occasions”.

He added: “It led ultimately in November 2017 to a woman in just her thirties and whose name is Tarryn Baird taking her own life by hanging.

“She was the defendant’s wife and the prosecution say that the defendant is legally responsible for her death.”

But Trybus blamed Tarryn’s injuries on “rough sex” and claimed an injury on her neck was caused by a “collar” worn during sex.

Swindon man accused over wife's suicide tells court it was 'worst day of his life' | Wiltshire | The Guardian

He also claimed that an audio recording from her phone was of a “kinky bondage type sex” that was consensual.

Trybus also said his wife presented a “facade” to health professionals because of her own mental health issues, the court heard.

Speaking outside court after the verdict, Trybus said: “After three police investigations over the course of 10 years, I’m relieved that the jury has carefully considered the evidence and reached the correct verdict today.

“I want to thank my wife, my family, and my friends for their unwavering support – and my legal team for their hard work and dedication throughout the process.

“This has had a profound impact on my life and on those closest to me. It’s been an incredibly difficult experience.

“I would also like to acknowledge that domestic abuse is a very real and serious issue, and victims must always be supported.

“Right now, I’ll focus on moving forward and rebuilding my life with my family.”