EastEnders' Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd) is set to fall deeper into the clutches of dangerous abuser Craig Ingram (Matthew James Bailey), as the suspended detective's grooming escalates in upcoming episodes. Craig, introduced in July as the investigating officer on the violent attack on incel Joel Marshall (Max Murray), has been manipulating Amy, who confessed to the attack after trusting him.
Craig's true colours were revealed when he considered withholding information about Amy's confession to protect her, an abuse of power that led to his suspension by DS Reynolds pending an investigation into gross misconduct over a complaint about 'engaging in inappropriate relationships with a female officer'. Craig lied to Amy, claiming he kept her name out of it, and she began to trust him implicitly, agreeing to a drink where he kissed her.
Craig's manipulation escalates
When Amy's dad, fellow copper Jack Branning (Scott Maslen), discovered Craig had been texting his daughter, Craig covered his tracks by revealing Amy's secret about attacking Joel, acting as if he was helping her by meeting in secret. This is classic abuser behaviour, isolating Amy from her family and making her believe he is the only person she can trust.
In next week's episodes, Craig is forced to escalate his grooming when he uses a threat to his career to manipulate Amy into doing the unthinkable. When Amy agrees to visit Craig, she is unsettled when he suggests they sleep together. Later, Kim Fox (Tameka Empson) quizzes Amy about her 'mystery boyfriend', but their conversation is interrupted when Denise Fox (Diane Parish) feels faint, leading to a row as Amy accuses Denise of shutting her out.
Craig loses his job and plans to leave
Amy is distracted after a devastated Craig loses his job, and quickly questions what happened. While Jack tells Callum Highway (Tony Clay) that Craig was under investigation for gross misconduct, Craig paints himself as the victim to Amy to get her on side. He then drops a bombshell – he plans to leave Walford, and asks if Amy will come with him.
