To identify ?

Sounds like she was putting him off

I imagine she doesn't want Clayton coming after Craig.

Looks that way. Shame on Beth but I guess she's worry re

I thought that too, but I also think that she's probably just worried about the repercussions.

Craig Could become scared PTSD?

While Beth is a crap parent who used to leave Craig to his own devices while she was out in the pub and speaks to him like he's 5 she still loves him and is very overprotective. She's trying to keep him safe.

I thought that at first, but when she hugged him after the end of the conversation, i thought it was more her just being worried about him/scared, if he could identify, the repercussions.

I don't think she will want him to give evidence but it is undoubtably because she is scared that it will make him a target. Which is understandable as Clayton has just violently pushed one girl to the ground which could have killed her. And stabbed another. It is not unreasonable for a Mother to be scared that he would also try and kill Craig to keep him quiet.

I don't approve, Craig should tell the Police everything he knows. But I do understand why Beth would be afraid and value protecting Craig over getting Kylie's killer pot away.

Do we know if Beth is one of those (usually from mildly criminal backgrounds) who thinks you shouldn't tell the police anything?

Yes, she'd be concerned for Craig's welfare, but suggesting that he wouldn't be able to identify Clayton for me gave the impression she was of the "don't tell the police anything" type.

Worried he could be next victim

In keeping it real, there would likely be sone cctv footage that would identify him anyway. And Chesney saw him as well I think. Maybe not the stabbing part, but enough to give a good description to track him down.

It's a bad message to send though, to not identify a culprit, especially as it involves a serious assault, attempted robbery, and manslaughter/murder. Gemma will be able to tell the police who he is as well. I can't really see Craig's identification as a major factor. Corroborating evidence, sure, but not a make-or-break thing.

I can understand Beth being protective of Craig in the immediate aftermath of this shocking event. However, even if there is no CCTV, Gemma will certainly be able to tell the police all they need to know about Clayton .. where he lives, where and with whom he hangs out and so on. Chesney has seen him too, so unless Clayton's suddenly emigrated it should only be a matter of days before he's in custody.

What concerns me is that the cover of one of the soap mags in the newsagents I saw this morning proclaims 'David seeks revenge!'. What can he possibly do other than get to Clayton before the police find him?

In my opinion, Craig's probably safer with the killer in prison. Who'd bother to take revenge on his behalf, especially when they know he deserves imprisonment?

With the killer on the loose, he might feel safer if he can get rid of Craig - Craig would be in constant danger. Or might feel he is.

What else would anyone expect from Beth other than a typical scabby chav attitude.

Exactly. She's vile.

She probably told craig since he could talk that snitches get stitches and end up in ditches and if the cops ask you anything always have your mouth full of kebabs and shake your head.

Beth is just scared for her son's safety. It's perfectly normal for her not to want him involved. Gemma should be able to identify him but whether she will is another matter. No doubt where she's from she'll have been told from an early age you don't grass ever.

Indeed as Beth is as thick as shit she wouldn't realise that Craig would be safer identifying Clayton so that he would be arrested charged and kept in custody rather than left prowling the streets to come back and try and stop Craig from giving evidence.

Yes, I think Gemma is more likely to have the "don't grass under any circumstances" ethose seeped into her soul than Beth.

I don't think there has been any indication that Beth (and also Sinead) are from that low level of society. I get the impression that they're a bit common but basically law abiding

I think it will just be that she doesn't want him to become a target for the killer (or his mates) to shut up before he can testify at a trial or as revenge afterwards.

I bet if it meant Craig could claim compo for the stress of seeing someone getting stabbed she would let him identify Clayton.

I think your right.

I don't see any problem, they wouldn't even have to go into witness protection. The whole street could just move into the medical centre. Nobody knows it even exists. I honestly think it's a front for cia covert operations.

Oh you're probably right there - she's definately got the 'compo culture' mentality but i'm not sure that extends to just automatically concealing things from the Police.

She was okay with Craig telling the Police about what he saw the night Karl set the rovers on fire wasn't she?

I think this is different though. I also don't think even beth would risk her son's life for compo.

They could only testify that he was hanging around and that he pushed Gemma but they couldn't be positive that it was him that stabbed Kylie.