'Coronation Street' has been cleared by television watchdog Ofcom after over 30 complaints were lodged about scenes which showed bullying and torture.
The complaints arose after an episode broadcast last October, which showed builder Charlie Stubbs (Bill Ward) lure teenager David Platt (Jack Shepherd) into Maria Sutherland's (Samia Smith) flat to threaten him.
In the scene, which was broadcast before the watershed, Charlie tied David's hands behind his back and forced his head into a bath filled with water.
The builder only stopped the torture after Maria returned home to the flat unexpectedly.
Ofcom received 31 complaints, which claimed that the scenes were unacceptable because they showed bullying and torture.
Viewers complained that the behaviour might be imitated and therefore should not have been shown before the watershed.
ITV claimed that the audience knew what kind of person Charlie was and were prepared for the confrontation between the two characters.
Ofcom said: "Even if there were some risk of imitation, we believe that the scenes were editorially justified by the plot development, the characters involved and the manner in which it was edited."
But the watchdog also said that the broadcaster could have given more warning about violent content before the episode was aired.
