50 ways to leave your lover. Get on the bus Gus, give a knife to your wife, Rob. How not to write helpful storylines masterclass from The Archers.

[PseudoBadger]

Poor poor Henry

[shinynewusername]

Can Helen be charged with anything or does Rob make that decision when he recovers

No - it is criminal law, not civil and the police/CPS don't need the co-operation of the victim to charge the assailant. There are some crimes, e.g. rape, when it is very difficult to prosecute without the victim's co-operation but I'm thinking a multiple stabbing ain't one of them.

[Elendon]

You would struggle to convict on attempted murder in this scenario. I watched a programme about women in domestic violence. One woman was severely beaten, but because she had now injuries fron other factors, such as a knife, her partner was charged with ABH. I think Helen is looking at a charge of GBH, but that's entirely up to the DPP.

[OneMoreStepAroundTheBendIGo]

I hope someone warns Peggy that it's not raspberry sauce that's mixed in with the custard on her slice of burnt pie.

[Boomingmarvellous]

Mmmm. Apple pie and homemade custard.

I'll eat it if its going to waste.

[Elendon]

No, Tony is just as much to blame as Pat, imho, if we're discussing parental involvement.

[PseudoBadger]

Right i'm about to instruct dog training for a few hours, so here is the new thread - use it when it seems appropriate...

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/radio_addicts/2607165-Rob-dead-No-no-hes-er-resting-Hes-just-pining-for-the-Canadian-plains-As-Helen-is-taken-into-custardy-discuss-the-Archers-here?watched=1

[EmilyDickinson]

Blooming

[BoreOfWhabylon]

True. And we still don't know whether the custard stirrer was inserted into his 2nd intercostal space wink

[redshoeblueshoe]

Booming don't eat the raspberry sauce.
Thanks Psuedo - we'll see you on the other side

[redshoeblueshoe]

Actually as it was Sunday why hadn't Helen made a proper roast dinner

[Northernlurker]

I am hoping that some of the loose ends we've identified can be used to 'defend' Helen. She asked Rob if he'd put more hot water in the bath - well there's no way of proving that but the change to the chicken order can be traced and would be very odd indeed for Rob to explain away. Then there's both Kirsty and Helen's calls to WA, the phone Kirsty gave her being in the house - why would you do that unless you were genuinely frightened, Shula (who has seen DV up close) witnessing Rob's violence, everything Jess knows, the 'truth' about the school conversation, ........
In the hands of a competent solicitor I think there's definitely enough out there to evidence his abuse.

The stopping driving, the sending back of clothes, the change to salary information, the throwing away of the rabbit - all this can be evidenced and builds a picture.

If she had a jury of 12 NL's she'd be out with the congratulations of a grateful public before you can say 'Grotesque attempt to grab ratings'

[OneMoreStepAroundTheBendIGo]

I wonder what the forensic team are going to make of the crime scene. Will the half-packed suitcase give weight to it being premeditated and Helen was planning to leave a la Tess? There is the emergency phone and the log of calls to Kirsty which should count in Helen's favour.

And on a lighter note, what will they make of the contents of the kitchen bin - half-eaten Easter egg and fluffy rabbit...

[selsigfach]

Poor Helen, she's screwed. And someone give Kirsty a medal. I think I'd have had to give Helen a slap to calm her down - more concerned about the custard splashes (which she wiped down!!) than the dying man in a bloodbath and her impending loss of freedom and her children. The GF Archers seriously owe Kirsty.

[BeaufortBelle]

Oh there's lots of dirt on rob..

[Wordsaremything]

Are the only superb criminal defence barristers men then beaufort

[Stickerrocks]

I was secretly hoping that we could backdate the onset of labour to when she stabbed him, so it was an accident in a labour induced haze small!

[Elendon]

Those would be minor mitagations in Helens favour, Northern. Fact is, she stabbed Rob. Her best defence is to say she was protecting her child.

[Wordsaremything]

The dpp doesn't make charging decisions in cases involving gbh. For goodness' sake! The cps does.

[nippiesweetie]

If they charge Helen they will have to have a long hard look at Rob to make sure there is nothing in his background that might jeopardise their case. They will have to follow up Helen's claims of EA, FA PA and CC so they can challenge her defence.

Would Harrison be asked to revisit the hunt sab incident? Surely St Shula will tell the truth this time. She'll be a mass of guilt because of her own experiences. Jess will be spoken to.

The police will look into his finances. I suspect they will be a mess now and have been worse in the past. He will have to explain what has happened to Peggy's £10000 by which time the police will be having their doubts. Cue Knob losing it because, 'I am the victim here.' and then going on to insult the police in his inimitable style.

[Elendon]

Sorry meant the CPS.

Funny mistake to make.

[Wordsaremything]

Bad character, anyone?

[iisme]

I think the half-packed bag will work in her favour. It proves she was going to leave and, if she can build up a picture of abuse, it is plausible that this might have led to extreme behaviour from rob.

[SealSong]

Kirsty with Rob??? No way at all!

[AugustaFinkNottle]

I think Helen should have been cautioned earlier. It would be ironic if she gets off because of Harrison's incompetence.

But anyway, if it comes to a trial no right-thinking juror could convict if Rob subjects them to that laugh.