Man charged over car boot nurse abduction

A 35 year-old-man has been arrested and charged in connection with the incident involving British nurse Magdeline Makola who was missing for 10 days, police said.

Magdeline Makola, 38, was discovered locked in the boot of her car in the town of Airdrie, Lanarkshire, on St Stephen's Day.

Police had said they were seeking a black man with dreadlocks who they believe she met through a mutual friend five or six years ago.

Ms Makola, of Livingston in West Lothian, had not been seen since she left work at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on December 15.

An investigation was launched and the South African-born nurse was found on December 26.

Her cries for help alerted two police officers who smashed the car windows to get access to the boot.

Specially-trained officers have been able to interview her in hospital, but it may be several days before officers are able to finish questioning her.

Chief Inspector Tommy Tague of Lothian and Borders Police said: “It has been an exceptionally traumatic period for Magdeline.

“Although not physically injured, she is extremely traumatised and this has made interviewing her extremely difficult.”

Police said it was fortunate that temperatures last week had been reasonably mild for the time of year.

They added that they were relieved to have found her yesterday, as temperatures last night dropped to around minus 4C.