When Sarah Platt was badly injured in a joyriding accident in a car driven by Aidan Critchley and stolen from Ken Barlow, Aidan ran from the scene. As Sarah was unconscious in the hospital and unable to give evidence, the police had nothing to go on, especially as Ken had got him a work experience placement at Coronation Street Garage and he had worked on Ken's car, thus leaving legitimate fingerprints all over the vehicle. Nevertheless, the police were suspicious enough for DS Mills accompanied by PC King to turn up at Weatherfield Comprehensive during one of Ken's lessons and take the lad out for questioning. To Ken's horror, Aidan was quickly released and came back into the class, as cocky as ever and taunting Ken that the liberalism of several decades perpetuated by people like him had enabled Aidan to get off scot-free. Ken forgot his principles enough to punch the lad and break his nose for which he lost his job and was taken to court.