What did Tom King do to Belle Dingle in Emmerdale?

Content warning: This article discusses domestic abuse, coercive control, violence and animal abuse.

Tom’s abuse of Belle led to a three-year prison sentence, but Emmerdale has confirmed that his story is not over. James Chase will return later in 2026, with news that Tom is up for parole forcing Belle to confront the possibility of him coming back into her life.

His violence had begun before their wedding. In scenes broadcast in October 2023, Tom pushed Belle after she turned down his marriage proposal, causing her to hit her head on a table.

They went on to marry in February 2024, but their wedding night brought more cruelty.

When Belle wanted to read a letter from her late mother, Lisa, Tom turned on her and criticised her family before leaving her to spend the night on the sofa.

As their marriage continued, Tom’s control reached into almost every part of Belle’s life.

He monitored her through cameras, isolated her from people who cared about her and used her mental health history to undermine her account of what was happening.

Behind the version of their marriage he presented to others, Belle was living with threats and physical violence.

In June 2024, Belle ended a pregnancy and told Tom she had experienced a miscarriage.

When he discovered the truth, he flew into a rage and began smashing equipment in a barn with a metal bar.

He accidentally struck electrical equipment, suffered an electric shock and was left unconscious.

A holiday in Wales the following month left Belle even more isolated. At a remote cottage, Tom continued to physically and emotionally abuse her while making plans to prolong their stay.

Belle eventually escaped with her dog Piper and boarded a bus, leaving Tom behind as he chased after her.

Leaving him did not end the abuse, and Tom used Belle’s love for Piper to hurt her further. In August, he deliberately drove at the dog before making Belle believe Piper had been put down following her injuries. He even allowed Belle to take part in a burial for the pet she adored.

Piper was still alive, something viewers discovered when Tom secretly handed her to another couple who believed they were rescuing her. Belle remained unaware, grieving for her dog while Tom concealed another calculated deception.

The danger escalated again in September, when Tom trapped Belle and physically attacked her. She took Sam’s shotgun and escaped into another building, but Tom followed and broke through the door with an axe.

Belle tried to fire the gun, but the safety catch was on. Tom disarmed her and threatened her with it before she struck him in the back with the axe to defend herself.

He survived, and Belle was left frightened about whether the circumstances of the attack would be believed.

Belle eventually gave evidence against Tom in court, where the pattern of his abuse was examined. On 19 December 2024, he was found guilty of assault and controlling and coercive behaviour and sentenced to three years in prison.

Christmas Day brought Belle an emotional reunion with Piper, giving her back the companion she had believed was gone forever.

After everything Tom had taken from her, having Piper home offered a moment of happiness as she began rebuilding her life.

Her efforts to move on continued in February 2025, when the storyline returned to Tom in prison as Belle sought a divorce. She visited him behind bars, marking another difficult encounter after his conviction.

Now, the newly announced parole storyline threatens to bring those fears back. Coming up in Emmerdale, Belle will have Kammy and her family beside her as she fights to keep Tom away from the village and protect the life she has been rebuilding.

Emmerdale airs on ITV1 and STV, with episodes also available to stream on ITVX. Image credit: ITV.