Template:25th October



25th October 1990: It is the first day of Kate's trial and she admits to Joe that she is terrified. Henry and Sarah are both preparing themselves for their ordeal in the witness box. Joe, Rachel and Mark leave Kate at the courthouse. They bump into Lynn Whiteley. The trial begins and Kate is charged with causing death by reckless driving, but she pleads not guilty. The prosecutor tries to show that she knew she was too drunk to drive. Henry takes his turn in the witness box and is forced to admit that Kate slapped Pete Whiteley in The Woolpack on the night of his death, but he also tries to show that she is a caring woman. Sarah is nervous in the witness box. She has to tell the court how she promised Kate that she would not mention the incident with Pete Whiteley back at Emmerdale Farm and that Kate thanked her. This seems to sway the jury. The defence counsel tries to show that Kate behaved out of character on the evening of 16th August. Tony vouches for her and speaks of her work for the church. Annie is worrying back at the farmhouse. She thinks that Kate may not be coming home at all. Fran gives her evidence. The prosecution cross examines Fran. Kate takes to the stand. The defence establishes that she has previously had a clean driving licence for twenty years. The prosecution then tears into her. She breaks down in the witness box as they say she left Pete to die in the gutter. The prosecution and defence sum up and the jury return their verdict - guilty. The judge sentences her to two years imprisonment and court costs of £800. Joe and the children are devastated as Kate is led away.


 * For more information see Episode 1500 (25th October 1990)