Man accused of abducting NI schoolgirls

A man appeared in court today charged with abducting two schoolgirls from a children's home in Northern Ireland.

A man appeared in court today charged with abducting two schoolgirls from a children's home in Northern Ireland.

Paul Leckie, 20, was accused of taking 15-year-old Emma Wilson, who went missing a week ago.

It also emerged today that Leckie, from the Coleraine area of Co Londonderry, also allegedly abducted another teenager earlier this year.

Emma vanished from her care home at Dhu Varren, Portrush, on the North Antrim coast, last Thursday.

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Last seen boarding a train for Belfast, her disappearance sparked a major police search.

She was eventually located after railway staff at the city's Central Station spotted her.

Leckie, unemployed and of no fixed address, was arrested and accused of holding her between October 6 and 12.

He was further charged with abducting another 15-year-old girl between June 18 and July 5.

Detective Constable Stephen Shaw told North Antrim Magistrates' Court he could connect him with both offences.

Although Leckie was released on £500 of his own bail, resident magistrate Richard Wilson imposed strict restrictions on his movements.

The accused was ordered to live at his sister's house in the Coleraine area under an 8pm to 8am curfew.

He was also instructed to report at Coleraine police station every Monday and Thursday and have no contact with either victim.

He was also forbidden to contact residents of the children's home at Dhu Varren.

Warning him against straying from his sister's home, Mr Wilson told Leckie: "Police may well be checking to see if you are there.

"You're also not to have direct or indirect contact with either victim.

"If you're in breach of this, you will be remanded back in custody."

Leckie was released on bail to appear again on November 11.