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'Nurse in boot' 35-year-old man at court

by mudricky | December 28, 2008 at 11:51 am

466 views | 28 Recommendations | 6 comments

A man has appeared in court charged with the attempted murder of a nurse who was discovered alive in the boot of her car on Boxing Day.

South African-born Magdeline Makola, 38, went missing on Monday 15 December, and was found alive inside the boot of her red, Vauxhall Astra car 20 miles from her home.

Sifiso Justice Ngema, 35 who is originally from South Africa but had been living in Airdrie made no plea and was remanded in custody.

He is due to appear in court again on Tuesday 6 January.

Cries for help alerted two police officers who had to smash the car windows to get access to the boot.

Specially-trained officers have now been able to interview her in hospital, but it may be several days before officers are able to finish questioning her due to her mental state.

Officers are checking CCTV and continuing house-to-house inquiries in the Airdrie area as part of the probe.

Traffic officers reported seeing the car on the M8 motorway and in Airdrie, and used CCTV to help find her car parked in a quiet road in Airdrie.

She was dehydrated and suffering from hypothermia, but police say she is recovering well at Monklands Hospital in Airdrie.

The 35-year-old man charged by police is expected to appear in custody at Linlithgow Sheriff Court on Monday.

Chief Inspector Tommy Tague of Lothian and Borders Police said: "It has been an exceptionally traumatic period for Magdeline."

"Although not physically injured, she is extremely traumatised and this has made interviewing her extremely difficult."

Police at press conference added that they were glad to have found her on Boxing day, the following day the temperature dropped to around minus 4C, though the days before were mild for this time of year.

Asked by a member of the press if Ms Makola had been drugged or threatened with a weapon the police would not confirm or deny if that were the case.

Ms Makola's local Baptist church in Livingston held prayers for her this morning [Sunday].

Pastor Jim McNaughton told the BBC Scotland News: "We wish Magdeline a speedy recovery, mentally, physically and spiritually."

"We rejoice that she has been found and pray for her and her family."

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jessica.lam

at 12:19 on December 28th, 2008

Has CCTV worked well so far?

mudricky

at 10:21 on December 29th, 2008

The CCTV helped find her as the CCTV showed what exit on the motorway her car came off, that's why police found her.

Also her car was found 20 miles from her home.

I'm learning more everyday and making less mistakes!!! :) and those are details I missed out that I should have wrote more about.

matte

at 17:45 on December 28th, 2008

how many miles from her home??

Police Academies (not verified)

at 10:13 on December 29th, 2008

I am in the US, so quick question? Is a boot the same a trunk?

mudricky

at 10:21 on December 29th, 2008

Yea boot is a trunk. We don't really use that word over here, if I was to use it I would be talking about a square piece of luggage.

Chesnut7 (not verified)

at 03:08 on December 30th, 2008

I feel really sorry for Magdeline this must have been horrible for her, I know Sifiso as a personal friend from college. This is why I was shocked at the story, this just isnt in his nature, something must have gone horribly wrong or we must be missing some other details. He has always been very gentle and caring and I am not the only person who knows him that is completed taken aback by this.

I hope everything gets sorted out quickly and that Magdeline recovers quickly from the terror. Warmest thoughts. x