Childless woman kidnapped a two-month-old baby boy from his family

 

A childless woman who pleaded guilty to kidnapping a nine-week-old baby boy from his family faces jail.

Kelly Mahon, 41, snatched the two-month-old tot, who cannot be named for legal reasons, from his family home on February 24.

A court heard she knocked on the door and told the mother that her husband has been in a road accident and was lying unconscious in the street.

Mahon, who had made contact with the mother before at a bus stop, then offered to look after the children while she went to find her injured partner. But when the mother returned to her home in Arleston, Telford, Shropshire, after realising there was no accident, she was left 'hysterical' and 'beside herself' when she found her child had been abducted.

West Mercia Police launched an urgent hunt and the boy was found safe and well just hours later. When officers searched the home of Mahon they found a number of baby's items - including both boys and girls clothes - even though she has no children herself.

A court heard she had 'deliberately sought out the victim' for the pre-planned kidnap and may have had further child victims in mind.

Mahon appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Tuesday charged with kidnapping the baby 'by force or by fraud'.

Mahon, who wore a grey sweater and grey jogging bottoms, looked at members of the baby's family sitting in the public gallery as she entered the dock in handcuffs.

She spoke only to confirm her name and showed no emotion as she entered her plea during the 10 minute hearing. She looked once more at the family as she was remanded in custody and led away by a security guard.