A woman has appeared in court today charged with kidnap and blackmail in Northern Ireland.
Sabrina Andrea McCooke (31) is accused of kidnapping Mark Thompson and demanding money from his close relative Margaret Thompson while making threats.
Another five men are being questioned by police after the abduction of the 35-year-old in Randalstown, Co Antrim, on Thursday.
He was taken from his home at Kemmil Hill by three masked assailants armed with knives and sticks.
The victim, who is not connected to a bank or business, was threatened and bundled into his own silver BMW, then driven around in the boot while the gang tried unsuccessfully to extort money from his family.
He was released unharmed near Armoy, Co Antrim, early on Friday.
A detective told Antrim Magistrates’ Court district judge Robert Alcorn he could connect the accused to the kidnapping and blackmail charges.
Dressed in black with a pink streak through her hair, the suspect did not speak during the brief hearing.
The defendant, from Carrowreagh Road, Armoy, was remanded in custody to reappear via videolink on November 16th.
PA