<P> Arthur 's lack of employment becomes a huge problem for him in 1986 when his daughter , Michelle , announces her engagement to Lofty Holloway ( Tom Watt ) . Desperate to give his daughter a wedding that the family can be proud of , Arthur decides to take money from the Walford residents ' Christmas Club savings scheme that he has been running . However , with Christmas fast approaching , Arthur realises that he will have to do something to explain the lack of money in the account to everyone that contributed . Arthur announces to the members that he has withdrawn the money , then stages a fake burglary at his house and tells the police that the Christmas Club money has been stolen . However , Arthur 's attempts to make the robbery look legitimate fail , and the police soon realise that Arthur is the culprit . When questioned by the police , he confesses and after his arrest he becomes severely morose , withdrawn and depressed . This culminates in Arthur finally having a nervous breakdown on Christmas Day and smashing his living room in a violent rage . By early 1987 , Arthur has become so despondent that he is admitted to hospital . He returns the following spring to stand trial for the theft of the Christmas Club money . Despite Arthur having the whole community behind him , he is sent to prison for 28 days . After his release , he makes things worse by borrowing money from a loan shark . </P>
<P> Arthur 's lack of employment becomes a huge problem for him in 1986 when his daughter , Michelle , announces her engagement to Lofty Holloway ( Tom Watt ) . Desperate to give his daughter a wedding that the family can be proud of , Arthur decides to take money from the Walford residents ' Christmas Club savings scheme that he has been running . However , with Christmas fast approaching , Arthur realises that he will have to do something to explain the lack of money in the account to everyone that contributed . Arthur announces to the members that he has withdrawn the money , then stages a fake burglary at his house and tells the police that the Christmas Club money has been stolen . However , Arthur 's attempts to make the robbery look legitimate fail , and the police soon realise that Arthur is the culprit . When questioned by the police , he confesses and after his arrest he becomes severely morose , withdrawn and depressed . This culminates in Arthur finally having a nervous breakdown on Christmas Day and smashing his living room in a violent rage . By early 1987 , Arthur has become so despondent that he is admitted to hospital . He returns the following spring to stand trial for the theft of the Christmas Club money . Despite Arthur having the whole community behind him , he is sent to prison for 28 days . After his release , he makes things worse by borrowing money from a loan shark . </P>
when did arthur fowler steal the christmas money
when did arthur fowler steal the christmas money
1986
1986