Dan Spencer’s prison sentence revealed in Emmerdale – and fans are shocked
DAN Spencer will not be returning to Emmerdale village for a long time after his prison sentence was revealed tonight.
The mechanic – who is played by actor Liam Fox in the ITV soap – faced his sentencing tonight after pleading guilty to manslaughter.
Viewers watched earlier this year as Dan punched daughter Amelia Spencer’s stalker Lloyd after finding him in the village.
Sadly for Dan that one punch saw Lloyd fall back and smash his skull in on a rock.
Lloyd was left in a coma while Dan tried to cover up what he did with a series of lies insisting Lloyd had attacked him.
He further compounded his behaviour by causing a scene in the hospital with Lloyd’s wife insisting he regretted nothing and would do it all over again.
A hastily-arranged plan to flee to Ireland with Amelia was also abandoned after Dan was repeatedly assured he faced just a three year sentence.
It would have meant he faced just 18 months in prison.
However in tonight’s episode that proved not to be the case.
The judge told Dan: “You Daniel Spencer, despite repeated assurances that you wished mr Sawyer no harm, made no attempt to assist him. In fact you left your victim in the road and immediately hid in your nearby home.
“You did on the day of the attack voluntarily hand yourself into the police, confess your involvement and later plead guilty in court.
“You’ve consistently shown some, though I might argue limited remorse for your actions. You have no previous criminal record and the pre-sentencing report makes much of your good character in the community, at your place of work and as a parent.
“However I can’t accept the claim that there was no pre-meditation.”
The judge reeled off a list of Dan’s behaviour since Lloyd’s attack.
“A man died at your hands Daniel Spencer and standing back I am of the view that this is a high culpability A offence with category one harm.
“Therefore I impose an eight year sentence of imprisonment.”
Fans are in shock at the lengthy sentence.
One wrote: “No way would Dan get 8 years. Jumping the shark a bit tonight.”
A second said: “Dan got 8 years!? Wow! Didn’t see that coming at all.”
Another added: “Poor Dan. Really going to miss him as he’s a down to earth, genuinely nice character.”