It’s been revealed that Emmerdale newcomer Kris Mochrie, who plays the man believed to have raped Victoria Sugden, was jailed for supplying Class C drug GHB in 2009.
Kris first appeared as Lee in last Thursday night’s episode (April 25) when the villagers went on their Big Night Out.
He was seen chatting to Vic and her mate, Amy, in the club and will reappear again in next week’s flashback episodes as we find out exactly what happened to Victoria after she lost her friends when the fire alarm went off in the club.
Although it’s not been confirmed she was raped, she was seen stumbling around, with her surroundings blurred, suggesting she had perhaps had her drink spiked.
Read more: Emmerdale SPOILER: Events of the Big Night Out finally revealed
The next morning, something was clearly wrong with her, but it’s not until next week that she finally confesses exactly what she went through.
Kris’s 2009 conviction came after he pleaded guilty to supplying Class C drugs and perverting the course of justice. He initially denied the charge after his friend Daniel Latimer’s drink was mixed with GHB and he then collapsed. Kris was convicted at Hull Crown Court after changing his plea.
GHB is known for being used as a date rape drug, but there is no suggestion that Kris used the drug in order to have sex with the victim.
His defence at the time said he lied to protect his career. He gave the court 25 letters attesting to his good name.
The Liverpool Echo reports that Judge Jeremy Richardson QC said at the time: “What happened last September was terrible.
“There you were in the nightclub with your associate who you supplied GHB a Class C drug. He [Latimer] knew what he was taking. That particular drug has a number of dangerous side effects.
“He became extremely ill as a result of the harmful effects. If ever there was a case that demonstrated the dangerousness of that particular drug this was it.”
A couple of hours later 21-year-old Chloe Leach also collapsed and died at the same club. Although it was initially thought the cases were linked, it was later proven Chloe’s death was unrelated.
It’s not known how long Kris will be in Emmerdale for, but a report on Metro.co.uk says that the character of Lee did not spike Victoria’s drink.
A representative for Emmerdale declined to comment on the story.
ED! has contacted Kris’s reps for comment.
Read more: Emmerdale’s Shila Iqbal ends social media silence after sacking
Emmerdale was at the centre of another controversy recently when actress Shila Iqbal was sacked by the soap after historic racist tweets were uncovered.
Shila recently joined the ITV soap as a regular character, playing Aiesha Richards, daughter of Manpreet, Rishi’s girlfriend.
The 24-year-old posted a series of racist tweets in 2013, when she was 19 and a student.
Shila deleted her Twitter account when news of the old messages surfaced.
An Emmerdale spokeswoman said: “As a consequence of historic social media posts Shila Iqbal has left her role as Aiesha Richards on Emmerdale.
“The programme took the decision not to renew her contract as soon as these posts were brought to the company’s attention.”
Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think.