Emmerdale viewers rejoiced as Tom King was finally charged over his crimes and abuse towards Belle Dingle on Wednesday night, and he sparked his own downfall

There were emotional scenes on Emmerdale on Wednesday night, as Belle Dingle finally began to get justice against Tom King.

Tom was confirmed by DS Foy to have been charged for offences linked to coercive control and assault, after a harrowing ordeal for Belle. The officers finally had the evidence they needed to arrest and charge Tom, just as he turned nasty with new flame Amelia Spencer.

It was a long time coming for the villain as his horrid actions finally caught up with him ahead of his exit from the show. James Chase was confirmed to be leaving the role, as he finally faces his comeuppance for his abusive actions in looming episodes.

Tom began coercively controlling wife Belle earlier this year while his mind games started before this. After manipulating her and isolating her, taking full control over her life, he turned violent and even tried to flee with her to Wales.

When Belle found the courage to leave Tom he took advantage of her mental health spiralling, and lied that all her claims about him were in her head. Eventually after he tried to kill her, Belle attacked him and reported him to the police for domestic violence.

But Belle faced trouble after axing him in the back and nearly killing him, with her told she could end up in prison. DS Foy faced a race against time to find the evidence to prove Belle had been abused, and that Tom was guilty of coercive control and stalking.

Tom’s behaviour towards Belle only worsened, including stalking and harassment, with him also striking up a romance with Amelia to get to Belle. But things fell apart when the police realised he’d disposed of evidence, an iPad, that could prove his crimes, and he also began targeting Amelia.

There were emotional scenes on Emmerdale on Wednesday night, as Belle Dingle finally began to get justice (Image: ITV)

On Wednesday night his time was up though as he made a number of errors that sparked his own downfall. Not only that, but his actions earlier on where finally exposed as Foy found evidence to prove he has stalked Belle, recording her without her consent.

After stealing one of Belle’s tops this week, he made a crucial error in gifting it to Amelia given she then wore it to work. Belle spotted this and realised he’d been in her house as she had feared. When Tom realised what had happened, he made his next error as he dragged a terrified Amelia out of the house.

This was witnessed by Jimmy King and Foy, who had just arrived to take him in for questioning. With his violent actions spotted, he had to think on his feet but it was no use. As he arrived at the station, Foy quickly informed him that the forensic team had managed to retrieve the lost footage stored on his broken iPad that he’d destroyed and then tried to get rid of.

He confirmed there was imagery of Belle being recorded against her knowledge, including “intimate” content of her in the shower and getting changed, as well as her sleeping – all from after their split. There was also footage of him leaving the house when they’d already broken up.

Soon enough Foy arrived at the pub after Tom was led away, and he had some news for Belle. He told her: “Tom King has been charged for coercive controlling behaviour and assault against you. I’m here to inform you that at this time we’ll not be proceeding with any case against you.” A new trailer has teased it’s not quite over for Belle though with dark scenes involving Tom. So while an exit is confirmed, we can’t reveal how just yet!