The Archers: Verdict revealed in Helen Titchener trial

The Archers' Helen Titchener has been found not guilty of attempting to murder her abusive
husband Rob.
Millions of listeners to the BBC Radio 4 soap were expected to tune in as the fictional
trial drew to a close with the jury's verdict.
The high-profile domestic abuse plot culminated in the first hour-long episode in show's
65-year history.
A star cast of jurors, including Dame Eileen Atikins and Catherine Tate, were heard
deliberating Helen's fate.
After a week-long trial, the jury at Borchester Crown Court also found her not guilty of
wounding with intent over the incident, in which Rob was stabbed.

Discharged from the court room following the majority verdict, Helen had an emotional
reunion with her parents.
Her mother Pat told her: "You're a survivor, all right. You didn't deserve any of this - that's
what the jury decided, remember that."
But moments later, Helen was confronted by Rob. "Congratulations Helen, you must be chuffed with
yourself," he said.
Issuing a chilling warning, he added: "You might have fooled everyone else but you haven't got
rid of me - and as long as we have a child together you never will."
She replied: "The whole world knows what you are now Rob... You've failed, I'm free."

A family court hearing has been set for September 14, where the custody of Helen's two sons -
Henry and Jack

The stabbing, which took place in April, followed a much-debated storyline.
It has gripped listeners, sparked a national debate about domestic violence and brought a
flood of donations to the women's charity Refuge.

Rob's long-term emotional abuse of Helen had been slowly drip fed to listeners of The Archers
over two-and-a-half years.
Avoiding the standard depiction of abuse as daily physical violence, the drama centred on his
systematic undermining of her personality.
Throughout the trial, listeners heard evidence from both sides, building up to the jury's
deliberations.
The plot was inspired by a new law against "coercive or controlling behaviour" in relationships,
with writers consulting lawyers, charities and abuse survivors to get the details right.
For the gentle soap opera set in the fictional English village of Ambridge, the storyline has
proved a sensational departure from the cosy country life usually depicted.
The relationship between organic cheesemaker Helen Archer and farm manager Rob Titchener began
in 2013, leading to marriage and a baby.
Listeners were slowly introduced to Rob's darker side as he began to bully and control her,
isolating her from family and friends.
Programme editor Sean O'Connor said while he was aware the storyline was controversial, he had
been "surprised by the intensity of the reaction to it and how it has inspired a national debate
about a previously hidden issue in British culture".
Mr O'Connor added: "In many ways, while this is the climax to the story it's not the end of the
story - because Helen and Rob are still married, they have two children, one of whom they share
together...
"In many ways this story could be a 20 or 30-year story - as long as Helen and Rob share that
child between them."