Fraud and kidnap charges after woman 'held in van'

It is alleged a woman in her 80s was coerced into withdrawing thousands in cash by bogus tradesmen

Police investigating reports a woman in her 80s with dementia was "held against her will in a van" by bogus tradespeople have charged two men.

The pair are accused of conspiracy to commit fraud and kidnap in relation to an incident in Solihull.

The woman was coerced into going to the bank to withdraw thousands of pounds in cash for work she was led to believe had been carried out when it had not, West Midlands Police have said.

She was not hurt in the incident, the force added.

Shane Perry, 54, from Birmingham Road, Stratford-upon-Avon and David Meredith, 59, from Port Street, Evesham have been remanded in custody to next appear in court in December.

The suspects were arrested on Tuesday 11 November and appeared before Coventry Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The woman was being given support, police have said.

"Any crime targeting our most vulnerable is disgraceful," said Insp Mark Heard from Solihull Police, adding anyone with concerns about their friends or family being targeted by bogus workers should contact the force.