Man charged with attempted murder of three children

A man has been charged with attempted murder of three children after they were injured in a car crash.

Emergency services were called to a three-car collision on the A146, between Hales and Loddon, Norfolk, at 20:36 BST on Friday.

Three children, who were passengers in a blue Astra, were taken to hospital - with two remaining at Addenbrooke's in Cambridge.

The Astra driver, Tancredo Bankhardt, 40, from Saxon Road, Great Yarmouth, appeared at Norwich Magistrates' Court on Wednesday and was remanded in custody.

He is also charged with assault, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and engaging in controlling/coercive behaviour.

He has been remanded until a plea and case management hearing at Norwich Crown Court on Wednesday 29 October.

Norfolk Police said its officers had received a call at 19:40 BST on Friday "raising concerns" for the safety of a man and three children.

Attempts were made to actively engage with him and locate the vehicle they were travelling in, police added.

The crash happened 56 minutes after the call.

One child was airlifted to Addenbrooke's Hospital from the scene, where they remain.

A second child has since been discharged from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH), and a third was transferred to Addenbrooke's where they remain, police said.

The male drivers of the two other cars, a red Honda and a black Audi, were taken to the NNUH.

One is still being treated for serious injuries and the other has been discharged, police said.

Due to the prior police contact, the force has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

It has asked for any witnesses or anyone with information to contact police.