Coronation Street‘s Lauren Bolton will be faced with a tough decision ahead of her plea hearing.

After weeks of speculation, a series of flashbacks revealed that Lauren had killed villain Joel Deering and

covered up his death with Max Turner. Though her boyfriend Max initially took the blame, Lauren was

eventually caught out and arrested for the crime.

The troubled teenager is currently being held on remand before her court proceedings. She is raising her son Frankie in the prison’s mother and baby unit, with Max and his family also helping out.

In upcoming episodes, Lauren receives advice from her solicitor who warns her about the risk of pleading not guilty.

She is informed that a ‘not guilty’ plea would mean the case will go to trial and the prosecution will rake over her unsavoury past, including her involvement with the far-right group led by Griff Reynolds.

However, the young mother is given some different guidance when she is visited in prison by Max.

Max urges Lauren against a guilty plea, even though it would result in a lesser sentence. He tells her that Frankie will grow up thinking his mum killed his dad, when it’s not true.

Confused by the conflicting advice, Lauren faces a big decision about her future. But what will she do at the plea hearing? Coronation Street airs these scenes on Monday, December 23.

Meanwhile, there could be more trouble ahead for Lauren after Max accidentally revealed Frankie’s identity to Joel’s parents. In upcoming scenes, the couple spend some time with their grandson, but later disappear with the baby. What are their intentions?