| Character Profile | List of appearances |
Dennis Richardson was the abusive husband of Helen Richardson and father of Lewis and Mandy Richardson.
Biography[]
1997-1998: Abusive Behaviours[]
Dennis was a teacher at the high school his daughter Mandy Richardson attended. Whilst he showed his stricter but thoughtful side at work, at home he was a physically abusive alcoholic. In March 1997, Mandy told her boyfriend Ollie Benson that Dennis often hit her and her brother Lewis, and in April 1997 told best friend Cindy Cunningham about his drinking. In June 1997, Dennis discovered Mandy and Cindy's fake 'donkey sanctuary collection' and physically lashed out at Mandy. His rage towards her continued when Mandy began modelling for Riverbank College's magazine, ordering her to discontinue. When she refused, the pair had a dramatic confrontation in a classroom, with several students witnessing Dennis slapping Mandy. Afterwards, Dennis's wife Helen left him, taking Mandy and moving in with Lewis.
Mandy, however, sympathised with Dennis. In March 1998, she and Helen visited Dennis and were left horrified by his living conditions. Upon learning that Mandy was struggling with her school work, Dennis began tutoring her. The pair grew closer and - at Mandy's request - Dennis moved back into 36 Grange Drive. However, Dennis soon reverted to his old ways upon seeing Mandy with her boyfriend, tearaway Sol Patrick. After getting verbally abusive her, Dennis dragged her into the bedroom and closed the door behind him. Afterwards, Mandy fled from the village and boarded a train...
Dennis attempted to cover up his behaviour with Mandy in the wake of her disappearance, leading the police towards Sol. However, Sol was cleared when he told the police that he had gone joyriding with friend Paul Millington. Searching for Mandy in London, Lewis and Dennis found her working in a strip club in Soho. Upon seeing Dennis, Mandy fled and D.S. Vicky Green informed the family that Mandy was spotted standing on a bridge and her coat was found in the water. Helen received an apology letter from Mandy, leading her to believe that she had killed herself. However, Sol discovered that Mandy was alive and informed Lewis, with Mandy telling him that Dennis had raped her.
An infuriated Lewis confronted Dennis, turning the tables by getting physically violent with him before throwing him out of the family home. Mandy eventually decided to report him to the police and Dennis was ultimately arrested. However, whilst on bail, Dennis visited Mandy and pleaded with her to drop the charges. She refused and in November 1998, Dennis was found guilty at trial and sentenced to seven years imprisonment.
2003: Release and Death[]
In April 2003, Mandy was informed that Dennis was set to be released from prison early. The villagers were left disgusted by his return - especially Mandy, who made clear that she was not going to forgive him. After Mandy's step-brother Max Cunningham attacked Dennis, Dennis pressed charges. Whilst visiting him to persuade him to drop the charges, Dennis revealed to Mandy that he had liver cancer. He agreed to drop the charges, but Mandy stood by her earlier words and left him with a bottle of alcohol as a parting gift, never to see him again.
In December 2003, Mandy received a call informing her that Dennis was dead and his ashes needed to be collected. Mandy poured his ashes down the drain, initially upsetting Helen. However, Helen put things right with Mandy upon realising why she had done what she did. At Helen's suggestion, the pair then washed away the ashes down the outside drain with the hose to make sure he was gone for good, laughing and joking about finally being rid of the evil man.
Appendices[]
Residences[]
| Address | Duration |
|---|---|
| 36 Grange Drive | Until December 1998 |
| Blackwood Prison | December 1998 to March 2003 |
| Unknown | March 2003 to late 2003 |
Employment History[]
| Job | Duration |
|---|---|
| Teacher | Until 1998 |
Background Information[]
Quotes[]