Man in court over nurse attack

Published: Tuesday, 6 January 2009, 8:36AM

A man accused of attempting to murder a nurse found locked in the boot of her own car is due in court.

It will be the second hearing for Justice Ngema, 35, who appeared in private at Linlithgow Sheriff Court last week charged with the attempted murder of Magdeline Makola.

The 38-year-old nurse, of Livingston in West Lothian, is recovering in hospital after being found on Boxing Day, 11 days after she went missing.

Ngema, originally from South Africa but living in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, made no plea or declaration during the brief hearing on December 29.

Ms Makola had not been seen since she left work at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on December 15.

Concerns were initially raised when the South African-born nurse failed to turn up for her shift on December 18 and she was reported missing.

An investigation was launched and Ms Makola was discovered by police in the red Vauxhall Astra in Airdrie on December 26.

Lothian and Borders Police said Ms Makola had been left "severely traumatised" and could have been locked in the boot for up to ten days.

She is being treated in Monklands Hospital in Lanarkshire, where she is said to be in a stable condition.

Last week Ms Makola's brother Refilwe flew from his home in South Africa to be with his sister, arriving in time to celebrate the New Year with her.

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