Belle King received more bad news on Emmerdale as the trial of her abusive husband, Tom, looms.

Tom was charged with coercive controlling behaviour and assault last month after the year-long abuse of

Belle, though the drama has continued as the evil villain has attempted to intimidate his wife ahead of the trial.

Monday’s (December 16) episode saw Tom make an attempt on his own life as he tried to delay proceedings, with the character assessing his various options with his lawyer as he ‘recovered’ in hospital.

Charity, however, was in a bullish mood, insisting that Tom’s latest move was simply another tactic to manipulate Belle and avoid accountability for his own crimes. Evidently confused, Belle headed to Paddy for some advice.

Meanwhile, a determined Charity went to visit Tom in hospital and saw the scheming villain gorging on some treats, making it abundantly clear that he had been feigning his troubles the entire time.

Charity then chastised Tom for his continued false sense of victimhood, describing him as a “game-player” who “changes the rules” and “moves the goalposts” due to his refusal to admit his own wrongdoings.

Tom attempted to push Charity’s buttons by spitefully remarking that Belle was “spiralling”. Paddy, meanwhile, implored Belle to absolve herself of any guilt in the matter, saying that she was blameless when it came to Tom’s decisions.

As Charity returned home, Belle received a call from her own solicitor in which she was informed that her past killing of Gemma Andrews could be disclosed in court, with the character lamenting that the jury would “turn on her” before the trial began.

Charity urged Belle to testify once more in order for her “lowlife” husband to be punished, assuring her that “justice will be served”. Belle, however, was less certain, remarking that she was finding it difficult to distinguish between fact and fiction.