Emmerdale spoilers: Arthur Thomas knocks Archie unconscious in sickening child abuse storyline
ARTHUR Thomas unleashes his fury at Archie Sharma in Emmerdale next week with devastating consequences for one villager.
Schoolboy Arthur – who is the son of Laurel Thomas and late vicar Ashley – is unhappy when Laurel’s boyfriend Jai brings Archie along on a picnic on what would have been Ashley’s birthday.
When they return from the picnic, Laurel (Charlotte Bellamy) suggests Arthur takes Archie to the pirate ship, happy that the boys seem to be forming a friendship after a turbulent start.
But she’s way off the mark and – once inside the ship – Arthur unleashes his fury at Archie for ruining his dad’s birthday. He violently pushes him, knocking him unconscious.
Laurel and Jai assume Archie fell, but while they are tending to him, find another mark on him.
A panicked Arthur quickly makes up a story about Jimmy King being responsible. A furious Laurel and Jai confront a shocked Jimmy, who can’t believe what he’s being accused of.
Laurel worries about how her friendship with Jimmy’s wife Nicola will survive given the serious accusations.
Meanwhile, Arthur continues his persecution of Archie.
Archie recently returned to the village with Dan Spencer following the off-screen death of his mum, Rachel Breckle.
Jai – who’s played by Chris Bisson in the ITV soap – had a shock when Dan returned to the village, with little Archie in tow.
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The businessman has been desperately trying to engage with his distant son, wishing he could get through to him.
It’s been a turbulent time for Jai who lost his business when the factory burned down and then said goodbye to his daughter, Eliza, who left with mum Megan Macey last month.
Archie had been living in Liverpool with late mum Rachel – who was played by Gemma Oaten – following a bitter custody battle between her and Jai.