That's the one - thanks WL

I was just talking to a neighbour (fellow Archers enthusiast) and she reminded me about Henry's adoption, how Rob was quite adamant about NOT going through the Magistrate route, and that just maybe, ther is something criminal in Rob's past?

I have to admit my memory on this is a little fuzzy, can anyone remember?

I can't remember either. It all seems very hazy to me too. I can't even remember what exactly Rob's status is. Is he a fully adoptive stepfather? Upthread it said it is some kind of temporary care order only?

I thought that the adoption never happened and that Rob got Parental Responsibility instead.

He did get a Parental Responsibility Order for Henry with Helen's agreement (albeit grudgingly) and this gives him rights as a parent. It is much quicker and easier to obtain than an adoption order, however the PR order can be revoked and I guess this is what Helen will do in time, but it is a lengthy process and has the added complication that Henry seems to like 'Daddy'.

And don't forget Dr Locke said he thought he recognised Rob from somewhere too. All these tantilising little tails they leave in to tease us.

You are right though Postit. Originally the plan was that he would adopt Henry. Then something happened and he rapidly changed his mind and went for the Parental Rights thingy. The 'something' was a legal bridge he didn't want to cross. I don't remember what exactly but it may have been having to go before a Magistrate.

Was it not something to do with all the social work reports and background checks that would need to be done?

Then there was the little matter of 'fiddling the Estate books' which Charlie picked up on. Rob got out of it by offering some sort of plausible explanation, so Charlie dropped the matter. Wonder why Rob needed the money!

Not to mentin wher is Rob getting the money for his barrister at Family Court, let alone rent and living expenses? Surely Pat isn't still giving the bugger sick pay?

I am going to miss this this evenings edition. Could someone please post a little synopsis of what happens over Henry's custody.

Well even if she was it wouldn't be much by now. And besides he has accepted another job so presumably has given notice at Bridge Farm.

I remember that Rob falsified the milk yields to make them look better (ie also his performance as a manager), then when Charlie challenged him about it, he blew his top and walked out of the job. I assume that the subsequent readjustment of the yields post-Rob looked bad on Charlie, hence he was re-located. Can't believe Charlie didn't let on about it.

Thank you for all these erstwhile details- it's what I come on here for

WE have enough evidence to put him away for a very long time, but do they ask us?

I'm thinking 'troubled' would be a good adjective to describe how Jill will feel when she hears about Pip and Terrible Toby

I liked the way Josh let it slip about them to deflect Ruth's questions about his laptop

The trouble is, as much as Helen now regrets it, she was instrumental in getting Henry to see Rob as his dad. Unfortunately, even though Rob is clearly not fit to look after Henry without supervision, cutting off all access is probably more damaging to a child that age.

I think Helen should be awarded custody but should accept Rob having supervised access, at least for the time being, assuming he doesn't just lose interest in Henry as not his 'flesh and blood'. Jack will want to know who his biological father is, so supervised access is probably the way to go there too. That's my opinion.

This is the only storyline keeping me interested - I don't really care for the most of the other characters' 'everyday stories'. This storyline may have been too melodramatic for some, but I don't watch or listen to soaps to hear about the day-to-day ins and outs of prosaic lives - I already have my own life for that.

Nothing was decided. The judge in the family court is Mr Loomis - the same as for the trial.
Pat was questioned by Anna and gave a glowing report of Henry's life at Bridge Farm. She said Helen and the whole set up deteriorated once Rob came along.

Rob's lawyer challeneged Pat about the accident with the bull and suggested the farm was not safe. He underlined that Tony had been attacked while protecting Henry from the bull.

Helen was also questioned by Rob's lawyer - predictable sordid little attacks about her anorexia, mild depression, the bath scalding incident. Helen said that most of this was down to Rob's control and devious tricks, making her think she was losing her mind.

^^^^ there's probably more I've forgotten.

Josh came across a naked Toby in Pip's cottage and lost no time in letting Ruth know about it

I have heard a great deal about this show due to Helen's trial of killing Robert.

How would we compare this domestic abuse plot to the Eastenders domestic abuse plot involving Trevor Morgan and Little Mo Mitchell?

Well one difference was that she didn't actually kill him. Then there was the weapon of choice: kitchen knife vs iron!

Then there was the method of abuse: both involved rape but Rob was much more insidious and coercive, whereas Trevor was more physically violent. But both could turn on the charm when it suited them and make it seem like their partner wouldn't be able to cope without them.

Oh was he sent to prison.

Thanks for replying.

Not yet, Rob's still at large and trying to get custody of the kids. Helen spend time on remand but was found not guilty of attempted murder because of the abuse, but all the things Rob has done might not be provable in a court of law. As I say it was a much more underhand and insidious type of abuse.

Ok so Rob hasn't left the show or isn't leaving?

Not yet - he's still around - not sure of the long-term plans but he is the biological father of one of Helen's children, so is unlikely to never be heard from again.

But living in a soap world where everyone knows their neighbours, plus it being a rural area so even more so, he may have to leave when people turn against him.

* Actually Helen was found not guilty of attempted murder by reason of self-defence, because it seemed like Rob was going to turn on her son before she stabbed him the first time and was apparently coming towards her when he said 'Give me the knife' and she stabbed him again.

Personally the second stab sounded to me like 'loss of control' rather than self-defence', but it wasn't attempted murder anyway. Harder to tell on radio!

Let's not forget that Rob's lawyer painted Helen as being scandalously selfish in GOING TO THE HAIRDRESSER'S when she left Henry with P&T. Practically Marie Antoinette levels of decadence...

He's clutching at straws. Scandal of the century: mother leaves child with grandparents to go to the hairdresser!