Man charged with kidnap after ‘stealing car with girl, 2, in the backseat’

A MAN has been charged with kidnap after a family car was stolen with a 2-year-old girl in the backseat.

Luke Joyce, of Peterlee, County Durham, was arrested on Thursday and faces a string of further charges after the incident last month.

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A man has been charged with kidnap after a family car was stolen with a 2-year-old in the backseat[/caption]

Police said the girl was sitting in the back of a Vauxhall Vectra when it was taken in Quarrington Hill near Durham on 21 September.

The car was abandoned three miles from the scene and the girl was unharmed, said the force.

At the time, police said the car had been left with the engine running and the girl inside while her family dropped off some shopping.

Joyce, aged 27, was arrested on Thursday, October 13 and charged with kidnap, theft, aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance.

Joyce appeared at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on Friday and was remanded into custody.

He is set to appear in court next month.

A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary said: “On Thursday night, Luke Joyce was arrested and appeared before Peterlee Magistrates’ Court the following day.

“The 27-year-old, from Peterlee, was remanded in custody and will reappear before Durham Crown Court on November 10.”

When the alleged kidnapping happened, Detective Inspector Malcolm Bell, of Durham Constabulary, said: “This has been an extremely distressing incident for the family, who were terrified for the welfare of their child.

“Thankfully, the child was located inside the car, safe and well, and was quickly reunited with her family.”