Couple charged with abducting baby

A couple have been charged with abducting an eight-month-old boy who was found in a cathedral in Ireland, police said today.

The baby was discovered safe and well on Friday afternoon after being taken from his legal guardian's home in Nottinghamshire the day before.

Irish police had been searching for a couple seen leaving the church in the town of Carlow.

Yesterday, a couple were arrested in Wales, and Nottinghamshire Police confirmed today that both have been charged with child abduction.

They are due to appear before magistrates this morning.

A spokesman said: "A 21-year-old woman and a 24-year-old man have each been charged with one count of child abduction.

"They have been remanded into police custody.

"They will appear at Mansfield Magistrates' Court."

The baby boy was found near a cathedral in Carlow, with a note giving his name and date of birth, police said.

He is currently in the care of Ireland's Health Service Executive and is expected to be reunited with his legal guardian this week.