Emmerdale drops show scriptwriter after real-life domestic abuse case
Note: This article contains discussion of domestic abuse.
Emmerdale has dropped one of its scriptwriters after he appeared in court charged with abusing his real-life partner.
Leeds Live reports that writer Martin Fustes made violent threats toward his partner and behaved in an "angry and aggressive way".
Hull Live further reports that the court heard the woman was afraid that she was "going to die" during one particular late-night incident in which Fustes began suffocating her.
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The writer has reportedly admitted assault and causing actual bodily harm at Hull Crown Court, as well as an offence of intentional suffocation.
His former partner is reported to have said in court that this incident followed over a decade of abuse, saying: "I struggle to feel safe in my home... The disruption he has caused in our lives has been significant."
Fustes has been given a two-year suspended prison sentence and a 10-year restraining order, while he must also pay compensation and complete unpaid work and rehabilitation.
An Emmerdale spokesperson confirmed that Fustes is no longer working on the soap, saying in a statement shared with Digital Spy: "We were shocked and appalled to learn about the recent court case involving Emmerdale writer, Martin Fustes.
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"Mr Fustes is a freelance writer and he has been informed that he will no longer be writing for Emmerdale.
"Everyone at ITV and Emmerdale abhors domestic abuse, which is why we have been highlighting the issue in a major storyline over the last 12 months. The Emmerdale production team were not aware of these charges against Mr Fustes until we were alerted over the weekend."
Fustes has been writing scripts for Emmerdale since 2014 and has written over 170 episodes of the soap in that time, with his most recent episode airing in February.
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Domestic abuse was a major Emmerdale plotline throughout 2024, as Tom King subjected his wife Belle to physical and emotional abuse and coercive control. Fustes wrote the episode which featured Tom's trial, which aired in December.
Despite Tom's attempts to disrupt the trial, Belle bravely went ahead with testifying against her husband and Tom was sentenced to three years in prison.
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.
Read more Emmerdale spoilers on our dedicated homepage
If you've been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, organisations including Refuge and Women's Aid can provide further support and information. The 24-hour, freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0808 2000 247.
The US National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or text LOVEIS to 22522.
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