Scotland saw 53 child abductions last year

By Oliver Farrimond and Cara Sulieman

SCOTLAND has seen 53 cases of child abduction in the last year, according to figures released today.

Although the term abduction can cover a range of crimes, the cases include a 14-year-old schoolgirl who was forced into a car and sexually abused before being released by her captor.

Strathclyde Police had the largest number of cases in the last year, with 33 children being held against their will.

Politicians have vowed to do all they can to improve the system, saying that any case of abduction is “extremely traumatic” for the families involved.

White van man escapes jail after hitting family

By Lauren Crooks

A WHITE van man has been found guilty of careless driving after mowing down three children and their grandmother.

Charles Perrie, 55, from Alva, Clackmannanshire, lost control of his van and mounted the pavement, smashing into the family as they walked to school.

Pensioner Sarah Montgomery was left with countless breaks in her leg while youngest grandchild Emma, three, was rushed to hospital after the crash in Blackridge, West Lothian.

During a lengthy trial Perrie consistently denied the charge against him, claiming black ice on the road had been to blame. But yesterday at Linlithgow Sheriff Court, Sheriff William Muirhead found him guilty and fined him £300.

He was also given eight penalty points, bringing the total of penalty points on his licence to 12.