Emmerdale's Matty Barton is beaten up in brutal twist - but Robbo isn't his attacker

Matty Barton (played by Ash Palmisciano) has been living in fear while on remand in prison and during Emmerdale's latest episode he was rushed to hospital after being attacked, but there was a twist.

Since arriving in prison for accidentally stabbing Samson Dingle (Sam Hall), Matty has been terrified fellow prisoners would find out he is transgender and make him a target.

Thankfully, after opening up to his cellmate Les about his former identity, Matty found an ally who offered him some protection from thuggish inmates.

Les (Stacey J Gough) promised to keep his secret but during a prison visit, Amy Wyatt (Natalie Ann Jamieson) accidentally told Robbo (John O'Neill) that Matty is trans and trouble soon followed.

During Tuesday's Emmerdale episode (July 9), Les was excited to be released but told vulnerable Matty he felt bad for leaving him behind. With Les out of the way, Robbo planned to torment Matty and uttered violent threats.

As Matty crossed paths with Robbo in the prison corridors he became an instant target. "Alright, pronouns? How are they/them going?" Robbo rudely said to Matty.

Shrugging off the comment, Matty replied: "It's just he," before Robbo spitefully stated: "No one left to protect you after today, freak."

Later, Matty told a prison officer about his concerns over the threats he had received. But his only option was to be moved to segregation and spend most of his time alone in his cell, which he declined.

Before long, Amy got a phone call from the prison stating Matty had been rushed to hospital as she jumped in Moira's car to be by her husband's side.

When they arrived, Moira Barton (Natalie J. Robb) was devastated to see her son with a bruised eye and stitches as Amy looked on horrified.

He tried to assure the pair that he was feeling "okay", as he confirmed he had a fractured eye socket and cracked ribs. Matty then explained that Amy had told an in-mate about him being trans indicating he had been attacked by Robbo.

But before the episode finished, Matty was visited by newly released cellmate Les who asked if he was going to make a complaint about the brutal attack.

"Oh yeah, can you imagine me grassing on Robbo when he's not even touched me yet," Matty responded.

He then told Les: "I'm sorry I asked you to do this to me", confirming it was a staged assault to get him off the prison wing.

"Looks like it's all been for nothing", Matty emotionally added as looked terrified. Will Matty's injuries stop Robbo from tormenting him?

Emmerdale airs weekdays at 7:30pm on ITV and ITVX.