Australia, Richie learns his fate after the accidental shooting that left David fighting for his life.

 

This week on Home and Away in Australia, Richie learns his fate after the accidental shooting that left David fighting for his life.

Probationary constable Richie (Rocco Forrester-Sach) arrived in Yabbie Creek fresh out of the police academy and determined to prove himself. But his first weeks on the job were marked by repeated mistakes.

Already wound up by Richie’s over-enthusiasm, Cash (Nicholas Cartwright) was furious when he caught Richie searching for his name on the police database, whilst David (Jeremy Lindsay Taylor) was forced to give Richie a warning after spotting him drinking in uniform.

Richie’s interest in the firearms side of the job had also been something of a concern, particularly after citing old cop movies as the reason he first got involved in the force.

After proudly showing off the results of his latest target practice, and trying to talk Cash into spending time with him at the shooting range, he later questioned David about getting a gun safe.

David was later forced to take action over Richie’s conduct, when he set off in pursuit of Justin’s (James Stewart) stolen van without waiting for backup—leaving his partner behind at the scene with Lacey (Sophea Pennington), whose purse had just been stolen.

Furious at the breach of protocol, David took him off the case.

Richie later talked David into giving him another chance, but his return to the investigation soon ended in disaster when they were called to a bush campsite where Justin’s van had been found.

As the culprit, Dale (David Harsh), approached in a threatening manner, Richie panicked and drew his firearm.

David tried to step in and calm the situation, but Richie pulled the trigger and accidentally shot his sergeant.

It was touch and go for David as new doctor Amelia (Nicole da Silva) battled to save his life, and Richie was left shaken by what he’d done.

Cash brought Richie back to the station, where he was questioned by a representative of the conduct commission over his use of the firearm.

The interview only made the situation worse for Richie, as it became clear that he hadn’t exhausted every other option before drawing his gun.

His badge was revoked and he was suspended from duty, leaving him devastated as the possibility of losing his career began to sink in.

The interview only made the situation worse for Richie, as it became clear that he hadn’t exhausted every other option before drawing his gun.

His badge was revoked and he was suspended from duty, leaving him devastated as the possibility of losing his career began to sink in.

The incident also affected his fledgling relationship with Abigail (Hailey Pinto).

Abby had stood by him through the crisis, even encouraging him to visit David in hospital, but Richie later told her he needed space ahead of the conduct commission hearing.

Abby was left heartbroken as she realised he was ending their relationship, and Richie headed off to the city with Cash for support.

This week, on his return to Summer Bay, Richie is approached by Abby on the beach. Still angry over the way he dumped her, but seeing how lost he is, she reluctantly checks whether he’s okay.

Richie breaks down as the reality of his situation catches up with him. With his career hanging in the balance, he’s left facing the possibility that the future he’d planned for himself may already be over.

“All he’s ever wanted is to be a cop, there is no Plan B,” Rocco Forrester-Sach told TV Week.

Later, Cash receives an update from the conduct commission and has to pass the decision on to Richie.

It’s bad news. Richie’s employment with the police force has been terminated with immediate effect, and his gun licence has also been revoked.

Richie questions whether he should appeal, but Cash urges him to think carefully about whether policing is really the right career for him.

With his dream career in tatters, and having ended his relationship with Abby, what’s next for Richie?

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Also next week, Mali (Kyle Shilling) is forced to act when a beach emergency exposes another problem at the surf club.

The town has already been unsettled by the recent crime wave, the club having been broken into during that time, but this time the concern is about safety on the beach itself.

Mali’s in the middle of a surf lesson when he hears a swimmer calling for help. As he looks around for assistance, he realises there are no lifeguards nearby.

With no one else available, Mali leaves his students and heads into the water himself.

Thankfully, he manages to reach the woman and bring her safely back to shore, averting disaster.

Although the swimmer is safe, Mali’s furious that she was left in danger with no lifeguard on hand.

He heads straight to the surf club, where he angrily challenges club manager John (Shane Withington) over what has happened.

Will John be able to get the lifeguarding situation under control before there’s another close call?