US man 'locks sons in a car boot' during shopping trip

A man has appeared in court in the US state of Massachusetts accused of locking his two sons in the boot of his car while he visited a sailing shop.

Fall River police say that Michael Monahan left the children alone in the Pontiac Trans Am for several minutes.

He told investigators the children, aged three and six, enjoyed "playing" in there, court records show.

He has pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault and reckless endangerment of a child and was released on bail.

The children are now in the custody of their mother.

'Distraught'

The boys were spotted in the boot by a man who works in the sailing shop.

He later called the police who tracked down the family.

Mr Monahan's lawyer told the Fall River District Court judge that the 35-year-old loved his children.

Referring to his client, his lawyer said: "He's extremely distraught about this your honour."

Mr Monahan is due to reappear in court on 19 January.