DC Craig Ingram (Matthew James Bailey) catches Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd) as she attempts to flee Walford in EastEnders next week, following his suspension from the police force. The detective, who has been investigating the attack on Joel Marshall (Max Murray), is told he is suspended from public duty police after a serious complaint is made against him, taking him off the Joel case.
Amy's Confession and Craig's Dilemma
Amy, who confessed to being responsible for Joel's attack, pleads with Craig to keep her secret. Craig says he will do his best to keep a lid on things but makes it clear they are both compromised now that he knows about Amy's actions. The detective, as viewers will recall, withheld the video of the teens tormenting Joel from evidence on Jack and Joel's request, and he fears this could lead to him losing his job.
With these concerns playing on his mind, Craig heads to the station, where he is told that he has been suspended from public duty police after a serious complaint is made against him. As a result, he is taken off the Joel case.
Amy's Plan to Run Away
Back on the Square, Jack tells Amy that the police will likely find Joel's attacker. Terrified, Amy decides that she is going to run away – but before she has time to make her escape, Craig catches her. The question is: just what will Craig have to say about her attempted exit plans?
The immediate aftermath has yet to be revealed, but what we can say is that later in the week, Craig promises to be there for Amy, who accepts his support. But just what will happen next?
Background to the Attack
Joel was jailed earlier this year after he attacked stepmum Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig). He also recorded himself having sex with Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James) without her knowledge or consent. After his release, he returned to stay in Walford with dad Ross (Alex Walkinshaw), which did not go down with the teens of the Square – namely Amy, who invited him to the park under the pretence of an end-of-term party. When he showed up, Joel was apprehended and tied up using Ricky Butcher's (Frankie Day) bike lock as the others poured beer over him, filming the incident on their phones.
Joel was later attacked by an unknown assailant, which led to a police investigation, with DC Craig determined to get to the bottom of what transpired. Over the past week, numerous revelations have come to light, with Lily Slater (Lillia Turner) confirming that she freed Joel prior to the attack while Denzel Danes (Jaden Ladega) confessed to being with Avani at the time of the assault, which ruled all three out as suspects.
Amy, meanwhile, was quizzed by Craig, who proved supportive, which prompted her to spill the beans about Ricky owning the bike lock used to restrain Joel. After finding out that Denzel – who she was starting to develop feelings for once more – had a moment with Avani, Amy was devastated and thus sought solace in a bottle of alcohol. Craig spotted her at McKlunkeys soon after and offered her the opportunity to open up. In unexpected scenes, Amy confessed to being responsible for Joel's attack, leaving Craig utterly reeling.
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.
