Man charged with kidnap in North

Police in Northern Ireland investigating the kidnapping of a teenager by a gang demanding a £100,000 (€160,000) ransom have charged a 29-year-old man.

The man, who has been accused of assisting offenders, is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates' Court tomorrow.

He was among several people arrested in a police operation launched after the youth was snatched from his home at Mallusk on the outskirts of the city on Monday.

After being held captive for five days the youth was dumped from a car on the roadside at Glengormley, Co Antrim.

He had been assaulted during his period in captivity, police said.

Another four men were tonight still being questioned by detectives investigating the hostage drama.