'Latex' wife had master-slave relationship with husband, court hears

Allison Phelps, 40, met Charles Henson through a sado-masochistic website where she used the name Salacious Squirrel and said her hobby was "nibbling nuts".

The pair became involved in a "master-slave" relationship which often spilled over into violence, it was said.

Henson, 39, is accused of trying to murder Allison by shoving a rubber glove into her mouth in a bid to trigger her potentially-fatal allergy to latex.

He was allegedly jealous that she had become involved in a new relationship with antiques dealer Michael Phelps and taken his surname before they had divorced.

Henson denies the attempted murder of Allison and stabbing Mr Phelps after breaking into her home in the early hours.

Allison told Bristol Crown Court that she began exploring bondage and domination websites in early 2004.

She said: "I was single, I was on my own, I basically started exploring the chatrooms and there were real people from the UK to talk to."

Allison registered as a 'slave' on the BDSM (Bondage Domination Sado-Masochism) website on August 26, 2004.

She met Henson through a chatroom on the website and sent him a picture of bruised buttocks.

Henson, who demanded that Allison call him "master", later posted her an amethyst necklace with a padlock on the back.

She used the names Silkytail Squirrel or Salacious Squirrel and listed her hobby as "nibbling nuts", while Henson logged on as Injured Knight or Night 765.

The court heard the couple's master-slave relationship is known as a "Gorean relationship" based on the fictional planet Gor in the novels of John Norman, where men are masters and the women are sexual slaves.

In March 2005 the couple went to a special bazaar in Birmingham to buy bondage gear.

But they split up shortly after marrying in July 2005 and Henson left their shared home in Coalway, Glos., and returned to America because his visa had run out.

The couple continued exchanging emails even after he left - but he stopped sending emails two days before he turned up at Allison's home on March 3, the court heard.

She told the court: "The emails stopped about two days before so I knew he was on his way back to England.

"I was in fear, snatching sleep whenever I could."

By this time her new lover Mr Phelps had moved into her home after starting a relationship with her in September 2005.

Wearing a dark suit and tie, he told the court he knew Allison was interested in sado-masochism and that Henson beat her.

He added that Allison had also asked him if he would whip her.

"At one stage, she requested that I go with her to meet a man who would whip her in front of people," he said.

"I flatly refused because I don't believe a woman should be abused in any way.

"She was a model for a man in Herefordshire who used her to show people how to use whips. She told me she wouldn't stop doing it."

Recalling the night of the alleged attack, he said he saw Henson clasp his left hand - which had a surgical latex glove on - over Allison's mouth.

Mr Phelps, who is no longer with Allison, said: "He was dragging her around the settee. He then pulled her to the floor and his hand was clasped over her mouth.

"I heard him say 'Allison is allergic to latex. She has four minutes to live.' I jumped on him when he raised his hand because I thought he has going to hit her.

"We were rolling around, wrestling and shouting."

Henson is accused of stabbing Mr Phelps four times in the ensuing struggle - causing massive wounds which needed 35 stitches.

Henson, of Wisconsin, USA, denies the attempted murder of Allison, one count of attempting to administer noxious chemicals, aggravated burglary and wounding with intent.

The trial continues.