Man in court over 'nurse in boot'

Magdeline Makola is a nurse at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary

A 35-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the attempted murder of a nurse who was discovered alive in the boot of her car on Boxing Day.

Magdeline Makola, 38, who works at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, was found in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, 11 days after she went missing.

The South African-born nurse is recovering in hospital.

At Linlithgow Sheriff Court, Sifiso Justice Ngema made no plea and was remanded in custody.

Mr Ngema is originally from South Africa but had been living in Airdrie.

He is due to appear in court again on Tuesday 6 January.

Ms Makola had not been seen since she left work on 15 December.

Concerns were initially raised when she failed to turn up for her shift on 18 December and she was reported missing.

An investigation was launched and Ms Makola was discovered by police in the red Vauxhall Astra in Airdrie on 26 December.

Lothian and Borders Police said Ms Makola had been left "severely traumatised" and could have been locked in the boot for up to 10 days.

She is being treated in Monklands Hospital in Lanarkshire, where she is said to be in a stable condition.