Man charged with kidnap, rape of girl

A man has been charged with the kidnap and rape of a 10-year-old girl who was snatched as she played out in the street, UK police said yesterday.

Kevin Holmes, 28, from Crosby, near Liverpool, was arrested on Friday and is to appear in court today.

Lancashire Police launched a major investigation after the girl was taken from Martindale Avenue in Fleetwood, Lancashire, last month.

At around 1.15 p.m. on Sunday May 9 the girl was playing close to Martindale Avenue and visited a local sweet shop.

When she left the shop she was approached by a man next to a car who grabbed her, forced her into the car and drove off.

She was then subjected to a serious sexual assault.

Mr Holmes has been charged with kidnap and rape and is to appear before Wyre Magistrates' Court today.

The girl and her family are continuing to receive support from specialist officers, said a Lancashire Police spokesman.