Two individuals from Blackpool have confessed to the shocking kidnapping of a 10-month-old baby girl, bringing a major police investigation to a close.
Swift Police Action and Arrests
The incident unfolded on August 19, 2022, when Lancashire Constabulary received a distressing report of a kidnapped infant from Carlyle Avenue in Blackpool at 10.17am. The force immediately launched a significant search operation.
In a remarkable display of efficiency, officers managed to identify and locate the suspects in under an hour. By 11.10am, less than 60 minutes after the initial alert, Michael Wellings, 50, of Housman Close, Blackpool, and Lisa Green, 52, of Haddon Road, Blackpool, were arrested. Most importantly, the 10-month-old baby girl was found safe and well and was promptly returned.
Court Proceedings and Guilty Pleas
Following their arrest and subsequent consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, both Wellings and Green were formally charged with kidnap.
The case proceeded to Preston Crown Court, where on October 16, both defendants stood in the dock. They each entered a guilty plea to a single count of kidnap.
A sentencing hearing for the pair has been deferred and will take place at a later date, pending the conclusion of unrelated legal proceedings against them.
Community Relief and Legal Process
The swift resolution of this terrifying ordeal, culminating in the guilty pleas, will bring a measure of relief to the local community in Blackpool. The case highlights the effectiveness of a rapid police response in child abduction scenarios. The public now awaits the final sentencing to see justice fully served for the vulnerable victim.
