Court date for kidnap accused

TWO people have appeared in court in connection with a suspected kidnapping outside a Newcastle school.

A girl aged five and a boy aged two are said to have been taken from outside a school in the west of city at around 9.30am on Tuesday.

Police launched an investigation and allegedly found the children in the care of the 24-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man.

The co-accused were arrested and each charged with two counts of kidnap, and made their first appearance at Bedlington Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

The woman and man cannot be named for legal reasons.

Janet Clarke, the chair of the bench, denied bail to the woman, but the man was granted bail ahead of his next court appearance subject to conditions.

The co-accused are next due to appear at Newcastle Crown Court on April 20.