Man, 49, appears in court over boy's kidnap

A man appeared in court today charged with the kidnap and sexual assault of a 10-year-old boy in Oldbury.

Michael Jackson, aged 49, is accused of the kidnap and sexual assault of the child on Sunday. Today it also emerged Jackson has been charged with abducting a second child in an unrelated incident.

Police launched an investigation after the boy was reported missing by a worried family member at 9.15am on Sunday when he failed to return home from a shop.

Officers and members of the public searched the area for more than two hours before the boy was spotted inside a flat off Bristnall Hall Road, at around 11.30am. He returned to his family shortly afterwards.

Appearing at Sandwell Magistrates Court today Jackson, of Lowry Court, Bristnall Hall Road, spoke only to confirm his name.

He faces five charges of kidnap, sexual assault, threats to kill, false imprisonment and a further charge of child abduction relating to a separate incident on September 14 in which an 11-year-old girl from Oldbury was allegedly abducted.

The case was committed to Wolverhampton Crown Court where Jackson will appear on February 8 for a plea and directions hearing.

He was remanded in custody.

A 48-year-old man arrested in connection with the investigation has been released on police bail pending further inquiries. A 30-year-old man had been released without charge.

Emma Garnett, from West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service, said: "I have decided that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to charge Michael Jackson with one count each of kidnap, false imprisonment, threats to kill and sexual assault. I have also authorised the police to charge him with one further count of child abduction which is in connection with a separate incident involving an 11 year-old child."