EastEnders: 'Disgusted' viewers divided as rapist Dean Wicks is found NOT GUILTY
EASTENDERS villain Dean Wicks has been found not guilty of his heinous sexual conduct in a shocking twist tonight - leaving viewers split down the middle.
The fallout from Dean Wicks "Not Guilty" verdict
The character - who was written out when actor Matt DiAngelo left in late 2015 - had his trial off-screen, and tonight victims Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons) and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) were told that he got off the hook.
The news came after an emotionally-charged discussion between the two women - alongside Dean’s mother Shirley (Linda Henry) and Roxy’s sister Ronnie (Samantha Womack) - in which they lamented the effect he had had on their lives.
In one fiery monologue, Ronnie raged at them all for blaming themselves - saying the crime was the fault of Dean and Dean alone.
Still, viewers were enraged by the verdict, as Linda put a relatively positive spin on it by declaring that he’s “lost any chance” of being surrounded by the love of a family ever again.
The women of Albert Square were devastated by tonight's miscarriage of justice
The trial took place off-screen - as actor Matt DiAngelo has already left the soap
He raped Linda but went unpunished
As much as we all hate the not guilty verdict in #EastEnders unfortunately it's very true to life
“As much as we all hate the not guilty verdict in #EastEnders unfortunately it's very true to life. The system is all wrong and needs changed,” one person wrote oniline.
“This actually happens in real life...that's what breaks me the most #EastEnders,” said someone else.
An additional post read: “This is actually good, showing that sometimes justice isn't always served. They had to do this #Eastenders.”
Others, however, were disgusted that Dean getting off the hook could potentially deter real-life abuse victims from speaking out.
The characters had rallied round eachother
“Well done #Eastenders you've just made rape victims more afraid to come forward now,” one person said.
Another angrily wrote: “Victims find it hard to speak out about this, and this is giving them more reason to not want to! P**stake of a show, #EastEnders.”
A third posted: “Absolutely disgusted in Eastenders. What a great message to give to all victims suffering in silence. #EastEnders.”