Victoria's rapist Lee (Kris Mochrie)
Emmerdale actor who plays Victoria’s rapist was jailed for supplying date rape drug in real life
Emmerdale newcomer Kris Mochrie, who plays the man who raped Victoria Barton (Isabel Hodgins) in a dark new storyline, was jailed in 2009 for two years after supplying Class C drug GHB, known for being used as a date rape drug.
The actor, who previously starred in Brookside and Ordinary Lies, plays Lee in the show and will reappear in forthcoming flashback episodes which will reveal what happened to Victoria on that fateful night.
Kris had eventually pleaded guilty after initially denying a charge of supplying the drug by lacing his friend’s drink with it. He was convicted at Hull Crown Court after pleading guilty to supplying Class C drugs and perverting the course of justice.
He had earlier lied to police and claimed that two girls had been spiking drinks but later admitted that he committed the crime, which led to his friend collapsing in the night club. There was no suggestion that he was seeking to have sex with the victim.
His defence explained that he had lied in order to protect his career and had presented 25 letters from fellow actors and others attesting to his good name.
Just hours later in the same club, 21-year-old Chloe Leach had collapsed and died. Initially police linked the two cases but it later turned out that Chloe’s death was unrelated.
Judge Jeremy Richardson, QC, said at the time: ‘What happened last September was terrible. There you were in the nightclub with your associate who you supplied GHB a Class C drug. He knew what he was taking. That particular drug has a number of dangerous side effects.
‘He became extremely ill as a result of the harmful effects. If ever there was a case that demonstrated the dangerousness of that particular drug this was it.’
The character of Lee made his first appearance in the nightclub scenes of Emmerdale last week although Metro.co.uk understands that the similarity to Kris’ conviction ends there as the character of Lee did not spike Victoria’s drink.
ITV spokespersons did not have an official comment to make when approached by Metro.co.uk.
It will be revealed later on that Victoria was raped so it is likely that Kris will appear in the role again as part of the ongoing storyline.
Emmerdale has been at the centre of controversy recently after Aiesha Richards actress Shila Iqbal was sacked from her role after historic tweets containing racist language were uncovered.
