Storylines

Clive Horrobin

The history (nay, charge sheet) of Ambridge's most heinous villain.

Armed robbery

Born on 9 November 1972 into one of Ambridge's poorest families, Clive is one of six children. When he was 14 he went beating for the first time. But half way through the shoot gamekeeper (and former policeman) George Barford sent him home. It was to be the start of an animosity with dreadful consequences.

At 17 he got his girlfriend Sharon Richards pregnant. He was not a committed father and Sharon struggled alone to bring up Kylie.

Armed robbery

In 1993, he and his mate Bruno raided the village shop. Armed with a shotgun, they held hostages: Debbie and Kate Aldridge, Betty Tucker and Jack Woolley, who all suffered emotional trauma from the ordeal. Jack had a bad heart but fortunately his pacemaker kicked in.

Clive was caught and held on remand. On 11 August he escaped from prison transport and turned up on his sister Susan Carter's doorstep. She reluctantly let him stay the night, sleeping on the floor. She fed him and gave him money, insisting that he leave before the children woke.

Clive was eventually recaptured and showed Susan his gratitude by 'grassing her up'. On 23 December 1993, Susan was given a six month prison sentence for helping Clive. Clive got six years.

Burglary

Three and a half years later Clive was back, claiming to be a reformed character. Lynda Snell did her best to get the rest of the village to accept Clive, recruiting him as a props assistant for one of her productions. However there was a string of burglaries in the area, from households who had donated props and furniture.

Despite the fact that Clive always had an alibi, George Barford shared his suspicions with the local police. Clive was called for an interview with his probation officer in London and ordered to stay away from Ambridge. Susan told Clive that it was George who told the police about him being in the area.

George and Christine arrived home to The Stables one evening to find that some of their horses were out on the road. Nothing had been stolen, but George was convinced it was Clive.

Assault

In October 1997 in the country park, George was attacked and left unconscious. By coincidence known poacher Eddie Grundy was also out that night, selling stolen venison. The police stopped him but Eddie hadn't seen anything and as the meat was frozen they let him go. Later Eddie was stopped by Clive, who insisted on being given a lift to the station.

Eddie was accused of the assault and arrested. It was a difficult time for the Grundys. Things looked bad for Eddie until Sharon was seen wearing George's watch.

Clive was sent down for another five years.

Criminal damage

By 2003 Christine and George Barford had gone into retirement and Shula Hebden Lloyd had taken over The Stables. There was a succession of night time attacks in which horses were slashed, one so badly that it had to be put down. On top of the distress, the assaults affected Shula's business.

In September Clive was arrested. They had been revenge attacks, in the belief that Christine and George still ran The Stables. Villagers were surprised and appalled by his sentence of only four months.

Arson

On 4 March 2004, Christine and George returned home to find Clive waiting with one of George's shotguns in his hand. When Christine's brother Phil Archer called unexpectedly, Clive ran out taking the gun with him. Christine collapsed and was taken to hospital. The police were called and Susan woken and questioned but no-one had any leads. When discharged, Christine didn't want to go home so spent a few days with Phil and Jill.

On 12 April, Christine returned home and Jill stayed with her while George was out. Sid Perks and Alan Franks saw Clive throwing a lighted can of petrol through the front window. They called the fire brigade. As the flames and smoke spread rapidly, Christine and Jill fought to get out. Jill's son David rushed to the house, breaking a glass door and helping them escape. Christine wept as she watched her home destroyed.

The next morning Susan was exhausted and emotional after a sleepless night. Once Neil went to feed the pigs, Clive turned up. He had burnt his arms, and spent the night in a pig ark. He begged Susan for help. She tried to get him cleaned up but, claiming she needed a proper first aid kit, she went to the village shop.

This time Susan wasn't going to risk everything for her brother. As soon as she arrived at the shop, she called the police. It was very difficult for her. Betty supported a weeping Susan as Clive was dragged away. He got 12 years.

Murder?

George died on 17 January 2005. Many felt that the stress caused by Clive's attacks had shortened his life. Christine was convinced that Clive wouldn't give up until he had killed them both.