Cottenham man charged with kidnap and false imprisonment by Staffordshire police following arrest at Smithy Fen

A 35-year-old Cottenham man has been charged with kidnap and false imprisonment by Staffordshire Police detectives.

Darren McClean, from Smithy Fen, appeared before magistrates in Birmingham on Monday (July 20) charged with two counts of kidnap and two counts of false imprisonment, all in London between July 7 and 17.

The charges relate to allegations McClean kidnapped and falsely imprisoned two men from Stoke-on-Trent.

McClean, who also faces charges of driving while disqualified and without insurance, was remanded in custody until August 28.

Three further arrests have been made in connection with the incident – two women aged 32 and 37 from Rochdale, Lancashire, and a 28-year-old man from Cambridgeshire. All have been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

More than 10 Staffordshire and Cambridgeshire police vehicles were seen at Smithy Fen last Thursday (July 16).