Emmerdale’s Tom King is set to stand trial for his crimes next week, but fans are convinced the manipulative vet will escape prison before being killed off

Emmerdale’s notorious character Tom King (played by James Chase) is desperately striving to avert justice for his violent offences and is now plotting yet another scheme to walk free from prison. However, the show’s followers suspect that a bleak conclusion awaits him as he clamours for liberty.

After suffering severe abuse, the local vet found himself behind bars when his estranged spouse, Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper), courageously took her ordeal to law enforcement.

When a ploy involving his cousin Angelica (Rebecca Bakes) went awry, an attempt by Tom to secure a mistrial backfired spectacularly.

In next week’s episodes, a resolute Tom faces trial alone, having been abandoned by his family, including his uncle Jimmy (Nick Miles).

Unwilling to accept his impending doom, Tom has signalled he will devise a fresh plan to evade the trial’s verdict.

This development has incited predictions among the audience, with some positing that the villainous Tom might flee the courtroom, only to ultimately find himself at death’s door.

The Emmerdale fandom took to Reddit to deliberate over Tom’s fate, with one viewer posing the question: “Will Tom Be Found Guilty Or Not Guilty? I hope he rots in prison”, reports Leeds Live.

One response read: “Well going by Emmerdale and Corrie’s history, he will escape take Belle hostage, probably kill someone innocent before getting killed himself.”

Another chimed in: “While the heart says guilty, I got this nagging feeling that [he’ll] be found not guilty and in soap land fashion, they will most likely give him some sort over the top style ending as he leaves the show.”

A third viewer speculated: “With the way things are going he’ll probably escape, and go on the run. While still harassing Belle of course. We’ll be here next year going ‘So do you think they’ll catch Tom yet?'”

“Could they bring Meena in for an episode or two to take care of Tom, to kill off the character? Then it’s finally over. If it happens, Meena is getting the keys to the village,” another suggested.

Will Tom face his deserved justice in court or does his dark fate lie elsewhere?

Emmerdale airs weekdays at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX