Man charged over abduction of nurse

A 35-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the abduction of nurse Magdeline Makola, who was missing for more than a week, police said today.

Nurse Makola, 38, of Livingston in West Lothian, is recovering in hospital after being found in the boot of her car, dehydrated and suffering from hypothermia.

A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman 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 tomorrow.

Ms Makola had not been seen since she left work at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on December 15.

Concerns were initially raised when the South African-born nurse failed to turn up for her shift on December 18 and she was reported missing.

An investigation was launched and Ms Makola was discovered by police in the red Vauxhall Astra in the town of Airdrie, Lanarkshire, on Boxing Day.

Police said Ms Makola had been left "severely traumatised".

She is being treated at Monklands Hospital in Lanarkshire, where she is said to be in a stable condition.

Officers had issued a description of a man they wished to trace in relation to their investigation.

Lothian and Borders Police said today it was not looking for anyone else in connection with the inquiry.