Having been released from prison, Billy arrives in the village to see his son Andy, who is fostered by the Sugden family. Andy chooses to live with his real father. Billy is a criminal and spends most of his time trying to deceive his fellow residents. This culminates with him attempting an armed robbery on the village Post Office on Christmas Day 1998. Postmaster Vic Windsor is fatally injured in the robbery. Billy is arrested and later sent to prison for murder. Andy is then adopted by the Sugden family.