Emmerdale spoilers follow.
Note: This story discusses topics including suicidal ideation/thoughts.
Emmerdale villain Tom King resorts to shocking measures to escape justice later this month.
The schemer is forced to change tactics after unsuccessful attempts to convince his uncle Jimmy to support him in court.
Tom is due to stand trial over charges of coercive controlling behaviour and assault, after finally being caught out for abusing his wife Belle.
Later this month, Tom decides that – with Jimmy refusing to defend him in court – his best option is to scare off Belle from testifying.
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In upcoming scenes, there's a 'code red' in Tom's prison cell, and Belle is later told that he has been rushed to hospital.
Belle is shaken when she learns that Tom tried to take his own life. The news immediately sends her into a spiral, as she wonders whether she can still testify against Tom if he's genuinely struggling with his mental health.
Charity Dingle takes a different stance, correctly guessing that Tom has faked the incident to manipulate Belle again.
Determined to get answers, Charity forces her way into Tom's hospital room and orders him to confess the truth.
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This decision backfires as Tom realises that Charity is only visiting him because Belle isn't coping, which leaves him feeling more smug than ever before.
Later in the week, the day of the court case arrives, and Belle leaves her family a note before sneaking out of the Dingle house.
The prosecution barrister warns the Dingles that, without Belle's testimony, the case against Tom could fall apart. Will Belle make an appearance or risk letting Tom walk free?
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James Chase, who plays Tom, commented: "Tom planned this and knew that he wouldn't be seriously hurting himself. He becomes pretty confident that he's going to get away with not having to do the trial.
"It's a bit of a shocker when he finds out that he's actually fit to stand trial. I think this is one of those reality-checking moments for Tom.
"Tom probably thought through plans A, B, C and all the way through to Z for what he would do if they did buy the fact that he was unfit to stand trial. So this has definitely thrown a spanner in the works for him."
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He added: "Tom believes the more he can mess with Belle's head, the more he can get her in a state of stress and then the less likely she will be able to show up to court.
"If she doesn't go to court, she won't be there to testify. So he hopes he can completely manipulate the jury to an extent where he wins and gets away with everything – I think that is his aim."
Emmerdale airs the trial episodes on Wednesday, December 18, and Thursday, December 19, on ITV1 and ITVX.
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.
Read more Emmerdale spoilers on our dedicated homepage
We encourage anyone who identifies with the topics raised in this article to reach out. Information about how to access support is available via the NHS, and organisations who can offer help include Samaritans on 116 123 or Mind on 0300 123 3393.
Readers in the US are encouraged to visitmentalhealth.gov or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
If you've been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, organisations including Refuge (www.refuge.org.uk), New Beginnings Peer Support (www.newbeginningspeersupport.com) and Women's Aid (www.womensaid.org.uk) can provide further support and information. The 24-hour, freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0808 2000 247. The US National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or text LOVEIS to 22522.
