Emmerdale viewers have thanked the soap for handing a guilty verdict to evil rapist Pierce Harris.

The character, played by Jonathan Wrather, was given a five-year prison sentence in Friday’s episode after he brutally attacked his wife, Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry), on their wedding day.

The jury’s decision came after a dramatic week-long trial that at some points led Rhona and her supporters to fear that she would not receive justice.

But as the case drew to a close, viewers took to Twitter to show their appreciation to ITV for the outcome.

While many posted “thank you” messages, one viewer said she was “crying with happiness” over the result.

While some drew attention to the fact that crimes like those in the harrowing storyline do not always end in justice for real-life victims, show bosses shared support information for viewers who may have been affected by a similar ordeal.

The information was also posted by the Home Office.