Tonight's episode of Emmerdale saw Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper) finally report her husband Tom King (James Chase) to the police for domestic abuse.

Last week, Belle put an axe in Tom's back in an act of self-defence after he beat her and made threats to kill her - but he survived the ordeal and is now recuperating in hospital.

Having summoned Belle to visit him, Tom gave her an ultimatum - drop her campaign against him or he would tell the police what she did.

Belle agreed to the deal and left, while Tom told police that he had been attacked by two men in the village as part of a robbery attempt.

Tom's uncle Jimmy (Nick Miles) was shocked by the revelation and admitted that he had suspected Belle, prompting his nephew to reply: "She might not be her best self right now, but to put an axe in my back, Jimmy..."

Unbeknownst to Tom, however, Belle was visiting the police station and handed a bag containing the axe over to the desk sergeant.

"I've attacked my husband in self-defence," she told him. "He wanted to kill me. I'm a victim of domestic abuse."

Emmerdale continues weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.