Man charged with kidnapping after car stolen with children inside

It is understood to relate to an incident at the weekend during which a car was stolen whilst two children were still inside it.

As well as kidnapping, he is also charged with aggravated vehicle taking causing injury, common assault, driving when unfit through drink or drugs, failing to provide a specimen of breath for preliminary test, failing to provide specimen when driving unfit, no driving licence and using a motor vehicle without insurance.

He is expected to appear before Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning.

It is understood that the incident it is connected to happened in Boucher Crescent at about 5.30pm on Saturday.

The street in south Belfast contains a major retail complex.

It was understood bystanders had stepped in to halt the vehicle and that a man had then fled the scene on foot.