WESTERN BUREAU:

Formal charges have been levelled against a man accused of kidnapping and attempting to kill his seven-year-old stepdaughter in Hanover.

He is facing charges of abduction and attempted murder.

The child was reportedly at home with her stepfather and grandmother in Hopewell, Hanover on Thursday night.

Seen wandering

It was subsequently discovered about 7:30 p.m. that the accused and the child were missing. The little girl was taken to the Kingsvale Police Station after she was seen wandering in Glasspole Square.

She reportedly told the police that her stepfather said he was taking her to her mother, with whom he had a disagreement. Instead, he allegedly tied a piece of cloth around her throat and she fell asleep. The child reportedly awoke in bushes.

The stepfather was later held by the Sandy Bay police and pointed out by his stepdaughter.