Woman charged in connection with kidnap and blackmail remanded

A woman appeared in court today charged with kidnap and blackmail in the North.

Sabrina Andrea McCooke (aged 31) was accused of taking away Mark Thompson and demanding money from his close relative Margaret Thompson while making threats.

Another five men are being quizzed by police after the abduction of the 35-year-old in Randalstown, Co Antrim, on Thursday.

He was taken from his home at Kemmil Hill after returning from walking his dog when three masked assailants armed with knives and sticks confronted him.

The victim, who is not connected to a bank or business, was threatened and bundled into his own silver BMW, then driven around in the boot while the gang tried unsuccessfully to extort money from his family.

He was released unharmed near Armoy, Co Antrim, early on Friday.

A detective constable told Antrim Magistrates’ Court district judge Robert Alcorn he could connect the accused to the kidnapping and blackmail charges.

Dressed in black with a pink streak through her hair, the suspect did not speak during the brief hearing.

The defendant, from Carrowreagh Road, Armoy, was remanded in custody to reappear via videolink on November 16.