Emmerdale spoilers follow for Thursday’s (November 28) episode that is now available to view on ITVX. The episode in question will air on ITV1 on at 7:30pm.
Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper) played a blinder in Emmerdale as she triumphed over Tom King (James Chase), scuppering his plan to abscond by notifying the police of his whereabouts.
Tom, as viewers know, abused Belle throughout the duration of their marriage, gaslighting her and controlling her every move.
During one particular incident, Belle was so terrified for her life that she attacked him with an axe. Tom pulled through but, fed up of living in fear, Belle bravely reported her ordeal to the police.
Tom feigned innocence when quizzed about the allegations and came to believe that he’s got away with his crimes, having disposed of his tablet which contained incriminating evidence.
But that very device would come back to bite him, proving to the smoking gun the police needed in order to charge him after they recovered photos which corroborate Belle’s statement.
Word of Tom being charged spread around the village on Thursday, with Jimmy (Nick Miles) struggling to get his head around the fact that he believed his nephew’s lies, with the cafe owner having now witnessed just how violent Tom could be with Amelia Spencer (Daisy Campbell).
Tom returned from the police station and sat down at Victoria Cottage with Jimmy, who asked him outright to tell the truth. Tom, however, reverted to form, lying through his teeth and pointing the finger at Belle.
At the end of his tether, Jimmy ordered Tom to move out.
Determined to get answers, Jimmy then paid Belle a visit at Jacob’s Fold, apologising profusely for failing to believe her. Belle was understanding, knowing how manipulative Tom can be, as she recounted her ordeal once more so that Jimmy knew for certain just how twisted his nephew was.
Upon returning to Victoria Cottage, Jimmy was less than pleased to see that Tom was waiting for him, with the abuser attempting to pull on his heartstrings and plead his own case once more.
When that didn’t work he grew abusive, resorting to belittling his own uncle. Jimmy, however, stood firm in his position, once again ordering Tom to leave.
Tom turned his attention to Amelia, telling her that he intended to leave the village and go to Saudi Arabia. Amelia said that she still believed his innocence – though it was clear at this point that she was having her doubts.
In a bid to flee the village, Tom took Kerry Wyatt’s (Laura Norton) car, claiming that he was heading to the airport. On the way there, he bumped into Belle and couldn’t resist confronting her, as he resorted to intimidation tactics once again.
Belle, however, stood up to him, telling him that he needs to confess to what he did. Tom claimed otherwise, revealing his intention to flee. To his shock, Belle didn’t try and stop him and instead simply walked off.
When Cain (Jeff Hordley) and Charity (Emma Atkins) got wind that Tom had absconded, they set off to track him down – though their mission proved fruitless and thus they were forced to break the bad news to Belle.
Belle, however, revealed that – during her little roadside showdown with Tom – she planted her phone in his car and subsequently noticed the police of his whereabouts.
Tom was waiting in line to board a boat to Saudi Arabia when DS Foy arrived with a number of officers in tow, arresting him for breaching his bail conditions.
Justice has well and truly been served.
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 or stream from 7am on ITVX.