A husband accused of convincing his wife he could watch her using "spiritual power" has been cleared of coercive and controlling behaviour.

Lukman Shonibare, 44, of Kings Road, Sale, allegedly told wife Lyndsay his powers meant he'd seen her smoking at home, but was actually watching her on a camera installed in their home.

It was also alleged that he frequently threatened to divorce his wife, who he married in November 2015, and would pinch and slap her.

Manchester Crown Square Court heard he made her sign and date a contract pledging never to “drink, smoke or lie” in January 2020.

In a statement read by Roger Brown, prosecuting, she said: "He threatens me with spiritual power and that he’s higher than another human being.

“It scares me because of spiritual powers in Africa."

But jurors heard Mrs Shonibare had a drink problem and in a video played in court, Mr Shonibare told a police officer: "The police have said that Lyndsay is an alcoholic."

Steve Nikolich, defending Mr Shonibare, said an alleged incident of him pushing his wife's head into pillow was "a fabrication" to cover her "drunken state."

Mr Nikolich told the jury that the "torture chamber" Mrs Shonibare said she felt she was in was "in her head".

On Tuesday, Mr Shonibare, a Nigerian national was found not guilty of one count of coercive and controlling behaviour.

The jury took just two hours of deliberations before returning a unanimous verdict.

Recorder David O'Mahony, who presided over the case, said: "Thank you very much for all your hard work in this case. I appreciate the time and work you've put in.

"Mr Shonibare, you may leave the dock."