A man has been charged with kidnap after a three-year-old boy was abducted from his foster parents.

Robert Gurling, 45, of Linden Street, Romford, will appear before Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Monday. The tradesman will stay in police custody until his court appearance.

Laurence Payne, 40, a computer programmer of Dereham Place, Romford, appeared at the court today charged with assisting an offender. He was remanded in custody until May 27 when he will appear at Chelmsford Crown Court.

A woman from Guildford in Surrey was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender in connection with this investigation and has been bailed pending further enquiries until Monday.