Alleged child snatcher to face trial

A man accused of abducting a three-year-old boy from a house in Bonnybridge will face trial in Livingston later this year.

By The Newsroom

Published 29th Jan 2016, 11:53 BST

Updated 29th Jan 2016, 11:57 BST

Hornall will face trial at the High Court in Livingston

Derek Hornall (40) is charged with reaching over a garden fence, seizing the child under the arms and carrying him away last April and then detaining the boy “against his will”.

Hornall faces a separate allegation of later threatening to kidnap three other children at a street in Bonnybridge last October. It is said he shouted, swore and chased the trio while behaving in a manner that could cause “fear and alarm”.

The charge claims Hornall pursued the youngsters – aged 11, nine and seven – and did “reach out” towards one of them.

Hornall is also accused of possessing cannabis at Falkirk Police Office on the same day.

Appearing at the High Court in Glasgow today, Hornall denied all charges.

Judge Lord Boyd set a trial which is due to start on July 28 in the High Court at Livingston and is expected to last around seven days.