it isn't long before junior had works out why his aunt is constantly covered in bruises. he tries to put a stop to it by informing various people about the abuse, which doesn't impress matthew and this only makes his temper worse. matthew begins to grow irrationally jealous over carmel's friendship with dr. david samuels (christopher reich), and during a family meal one night, he begins to get violent towards her in front of junior. in a desperate bid to protect his petrified aunt, junior stabs matthew with a kitchen knife. matthew spends time in hospital, but once again he manages to convince carmel that he has changed and she allows him to come home when he recovers. she tries to get matthew to seek professional help, but matthew is appalled by the idea, and true to form, he begins smashing up the house and threatening her with more violence. this is the last straw for carmel and she wisely decides to end their relationship. she throws matthew out and he leaves walford in july 1989.