Man faces court over carjacking of children

Cedric Brown will appear in court today to face accusations he dragged a woman from her car then sped away in the vehicle, with her two young children, a girl and a boy, still strapped in the back seats.

Police say they were called to the Slade Road area of Erdington just before 11am on Tuesday following reports of a burglary.

It is alleged one of three suspects pursued by officers carjacked the young mother’s Ford Focus in Somerset Road, Erdington, in an attempt to escape.

The stolen vehicle was tracked, however, and within minutes was outnumbered by around six police vehicles.

Brown, 44, of no fixed abode, was arrested a short time later and, after being questioned by detectives, was last night charged with robbery, two counts of kidnap, and possession of a knife, a police spokesman said.

He was remanded in police custody ahead of an appearance at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court.

The two children – a one-year-old boy and his sister, aged two – were unhurt and later reunited with their mother by police officers.

Two other men arrested nearby – a 19-year-old from Perry Common and an 18-year-old from Bromford – have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Sergeant Nicholas Barnes expressed relief yesterday that the children were unscathed.

“Thankfully, neither of them was hurt and we quickly reunited them with their mum who naturally was extremely relieved,” he added.