A man is due in court today in connection with the alleged kidnapping of a nurse found locked in the boot of her car on Boxing Day.
A man is due in court today in connection with the alleged kidnapping of a nurse found locked in the boot of her car on Boxing Day.
Police said yesterday that they had arrested and charged the 35-year-old man in relation to the abduction of Magdeline Makola.
The South African-born nurse was discovered in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, tied up in the boot of her Vauxhall Astra, wearing only nightclothes and suffering from dehydration and hypothermia.
Officers said the traumatised woman may have been imprisoned in the vehicle for up to 10 days.
Ms Makola, aged 38, of Livingston, West Lothian, remained in Monklands Hospital last night where her condition was said to be "stable and comfortable".
A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman confirmed that an arrest had been made. He said: "A 35-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the abduction of Magdeline Makola."
The man is due to appear at Linlithgow Sheriff Court today.
Police had previously said that they were looking for a man whom Ms Makola knew. Following the arrest they said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
As news of the development spread through the West Lothian community yesterday, prayers were said for Ms Makola at the Ladywell Baptist Church in Livingston which she attended.
Pastor Jim McNaughton voiced the sympathies and hopes of the shocked congregation which has been helping to support and comfort Ms Makola since she was found.
He said: "We wish Magdeline a speedy recovery, mentally, physically and spiritually. We rejoice that she has been found and pray for her and her family."
Ms Makola was reported missing on December 18 after she failed to turn up for her shift at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where she is understood to have worked as a cardiac nurse. She had last been seen leaving the city hospital car park three days previously, on December 15.
Police searching for her eventually located her car parked beside a train station in Airdrie, about 20 miles from her home.
Officers smashed the car windows to get into the boot after hearing cries for help.
Police said at the time that it was fortunate that the temperatures had been reasonably mild for the time of year.
They added that they were relieved to have found the missing nurse when they did, as temperatures later dropped to around minus 4C.
Ms Makola, who lives in the Howden area of Livingston, was described as a very committed nurse with a close circle of friends.
