Christchurch man Matthew Burke appears at Poole Magistrates’ Court over alleged child kidnap attempt on Castle Lane East in Bournemouth

A CHRISTCHURCH man has appeared in court charged in connection with an alleged attempt to kidnap a child on a Bournemouth road.

Matthew Burke was among three people from the town arrested in connection with the incident, said to have taken place on Castle Lane East last Friday evening.

As reported by the A&T, the alarm was raised around 6.50pm, with reports of a disturbance near the turn-off to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

It was alleged a woman was approaching the junction when two people known to her got out of another vehicle, which had stopped nearby.

They were said to have tried to undo the seatbelt of a young child passenger in her car and made threats to her.

The child was not removed, and the offenders reportedly returned to their vehicle before it drove off towards Iford.

Burke (40), of Everest Road, offered no plea at Poole Magistrates’ Court to allegations of making threats to kill and breaching a non-molestation order.

He was remanded in custody to stand trial at Bournemouth Crown Court on 21st September.

Arrested on suspicion of attempted kidnap, a 15-year-old boy and a 30-year-old man have been bailed as investigations continue.

DC Abbie Hawker of Bournemouth CID said: “We are continuing to investigate the full circumstances of this incident, which is reported to have involved individuals who were all known to each other, and we are keen to speak to any independent witnesses.

“We would also urge any motorists who were driving in the area on the evening of Friday 18th August 2023 to please check any dash cam footage to see if they have captured anything that might assist our enquiries.”

Anyone with information should contact officers online at dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting crime reference number 55230130829.

Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.