Man denies snatching baby from her cradle

A MAN is to face trial charged with snatching a three-week old baby from her cradle.

Joseph Lang, 21, is said to have abducted the infant, who cannot be named for legal reasons when she was 22 days old.

He faces a single charge alleging that he “seized her from her crib”, removed her from her home without adequate clothing and without her parents’ consent.

It is alleged that Lang, of Stenhousemuir, Stirlingshire, was under the influence of “intoxicating substances” at the time of the alleged crime at the baby’s address in in Larbert, Stirlingshire on October 20 last year.

At a preliminary hearing at Stirling Sheriff Court yesterday, defence solicitor Simon Hutchison, for Lang, who denies the abduction but who was not present in court, said legal aid was not yet in place.

Explaining his client’s absence, Mr Hutchison said he had spoken to him on the phone.

He added: “He said he couldn’t get to court because he doesn’t get his benefit until the end of the month.

“I said I’d try to crave the court’s indulgence for a further hearing.”

Sheriff William Gilchrist continued the case until July 11 for the Crown to formally disclose the prosecution case to the defence, and for the defence to take instructions.

He added: “I don’t think it appropriate to fix a trial date yet, in these circumstances.”

Lang’s trial must start before the third week in October, however, unless the current time-bar is at some point extended.