He's not a pheasant poacher, he's a pheasant poacher's grandson. Join us for trials, tribulations and tipsy tractor trips in Ambridge.

[PseudoBadger]

Will this thread see the end of The Trial? And SOC?

Based on the evidence so far I think that Helen will be found not guilty of attempted murder but guilty of wounding (cue much wailing from Pat and "Pat, let's just see what the judge says" from Tony, and then will get a short sentence which is less than her time served pre-trial. Then round two will be the custody battle, possibly with a charge of coercive control against Rob.

Poor Henry sounds like he's had an even tougher time than I'd thought. I hate the idea of him sleeping with a toy power ranger to protect him. I wish that his interview had got to the bottom of what or who he was so scared of.

I did like hearing Pat doing the affirmation and not the oath. Doesn't happen enough in drama IMO. Noticed earlier Knob took the oath - though I imagine he only goes to church if he's stalking somebody, the utter barsteward.

Did Anna not say 'the transcript has arrived'? which i assumed was of the phone call Helen made. i was momentarily surprised as I'd thought they'd need H's permission. Then it all moved on.

That bit didn't really make sense to me Emily. When Helen was sleepwalking Rob made her believe that she was scaring the life out of Henry but I'm pretty sure we knew at the time that Henry wasn't in the least bit frightened.

But the charge is wounding with INTENT, no? So even that has to be proved by the Crown, and all she really wanted was to leave that night. If the jury believes her, then she could be found not guilty of both charges, I'd think.

I expect we will hear - on the Sunday marathon - some of the jury's deliberation. Rape is so common I'd be surprised if there isn't at least one of the jury who has experienced it too, or knows a victim, and that would make them sympathetic.

They still need to pull out the evidence that the boarding school plans were real, I hope that happens soon.

Or Topaz they will think that it's just something you have to put up with and stabbing someone as a result is a bit OTT.

Did she mention sleepwalking tonight then?

I'm not looking forward to Helen being cross-examined

Pat will be a nightmare. Can't they lock her in the loo or something?

Sticker, i do hope not. And it's not going to help wimmin any more than the SL already has or hasn't.

Also in tears here. Well done Helen.

Maybe Pat could are for Jack? Helen might be okay enough. She did sound strong tonight - and surely she won't be asked more about the rape. Though i expect she will, sadly, and that's the job of prosecutors. but if she sticks ot the facts and even if she cries, she will be believable I feel. TG the Helen actor can pull it off.

Seems like I mostly de lurk to rant about Pat. Ffs, someone needs to shut her up. So utterly self absorbed, even during her daughter's trial. It's so wearing.

Congrats Jessie, your baby is utterly gorgeous!

For the legal experts: would there now be a criminal investigation into the rape claims, potentially leading to a trial? I'm assuming it's Jess who has pitched up so there would be two victims to accuse him. Presumably Rob won't be taking the stand again so no chance of a confession from him, but would the rape cases have to be dealt with separately?

obvs that should read 'cared for'. I think I'll read the thread about cake now and sort some knitting patterns. This is harrowing. I wonder how Peggy will react to the rape news. In a way her reaction to Kirsty's shouting out was typical - and she is of an age when people did obey authority figures, or some of them! P is a very proper ladyee.

I missed the Piggoi bit - what did she say?

I startled the toddler by shouting out "oh shut the fuck up for fuck's sake!" With the toddler on my lap.... She currently only says cat, mama, dad, bye and poo but I just know she's squirrelled that one away for future reference!

Just snorted at "lying through her teeth" - lying and everything else.
I don't see how Ursula would have committed perjury re the rapes, she didn't know.

There was a high profile trial in Scotland a year of so ago. An ex-MSP is now doing time for assaulting his then current wife and her dd, i think. His previous 2 wives came forward to give evidence that they had been assaulted by him too during their marriages. The jury believed the women.

I have no time or respect for Peggy. Her first reaction is almost always wrong. She's a fairly unpleasant person. Well acted though!

selsig, I hope you travel by bus lots, so you can just say she picked up the bad words on the bus. Years ago i did say that to my very shocked parents when pfb came out with something. I said it with a straight face too.

Peggoi was moaning to Tone about how Kirsty shouldn't have said what she said in court. I can't recall the rest.

I agree, vango.

Selsig, i know Ars couldn't have known about the rapes - but did she not say other things that were untrue? Though i suppose they were just opinion. I dunno, i am getting overinfested here. In fact Ars's response could be interesting. i see 3 options. She could side with Robert; she could be shocked but think 'Isn't that what Bruce has been doing for decades too and that's what husbands do'; or she could eb so shocked she gives up on her on and moves to TeamHelen.

De lurking after many months of not listening and even a long stint of not looking here! But after listening to Ian telling Rob where to go last Friday ( at last!) and hearing the TA trailed all over r4, I couldn't resist listening to the trial.

Louisa's performance was amazing.

We all know that the boarding school account is untrue because we heard the visit. I'd love to hear Ursula banged up for perjury.

Just popping in to say Halle-fucking-lujah!!
Brilliant acting by Louiza, had me welling up too. Also agree Pat is a pain in the backside.

Who was it that called out "I'm here darling"? Was that Pat? Any luck and she'll be removed from the public gallery if she pulls another similar stunt (although then we'll have to listen to more wailing ad infinitum about how she's let Helen down etc etc)

Tonight's trending on Twitter phrase (last night's was Kirsty to the bafflement of many women called Kirsty, apparently) - Go Helen.

Didn't Rob also cook the farm shop's books and pretend an order hadn't turned up or something, when he had cancelled it?
All evidence of his controlling manipulative nature
At the time we were all waiting (some of us lurking silently) for Tom to discover the lie, either through spreadsheets or from speaking to their suppliers & hearing it conversationally?

No, a very breathy tony shouted. They could both sit in H's cell with Jeck. Aren't they always saying they've not seen enuf of the GSs.