Girl dragged from home, court told

The trial of a man accused of attempting to kidnap a schoolgirl has heard how she was forcibly dragged from her home in Wrexham.

Charles Kenneth Nicholls allegedly pulled the 11-year-old girl from her home, in Rhosnesni, after breaking down the door of the house.

At the hearing on Tuesday at Chester Crown Court, the judge was told the girl had been saved by her mother.

Mr Nicholls 41 from Alyn Meadows, Mold, has denied kidnapping and affray.

The prosecution claim Mr Nicholls tried to snatch the girl after he became obsessed with a barmaid who apparently looked similar to the schoolgirl.

Goalkeeper help

The court was told the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was dragged out of her home by her arms on the evening of 30 April.

She was apparently rescued by her mother who ran downstairs after she heard her daughter screaming.

The court was also told how a former Manchester United goalkeeper had helped detain the defendant.

The prosecution said the Mr Nicholls had dropped to his knees and was pinned to the ground by two men including the former footballer Dave Gaskell.

North Wales Police arrested the defendant after the girl had been returned to her mother.

The case continues.