Man found not guilty of teenage boy's attempted kidnap at Derbyshire nature reserve

Liam Meenan, 39, was charged following the alleged incident at Ilkeston’s Nutbrook Trail at just before 8am on Wednesday, July 17 this year. At the time Derbyshire Police said a man had “allegedly grabbed” a teenage boy – who was not physically hurt and was taken home safely by his dad.

Meenan was arrested in Stanton Road, Ilkeston, on July 18, and later denied the kidnap charge. A trial was set to begin at Derby Crown Court on Wednesday next week (January 15) – however during a hearing today (Thursday) a prosecuting barrister told the court the Crown Prosecution Service was now offering “no evidence” in the case.

Announcing a not guilty verdict, Judge Shaun Smith KC told Meenan, of no fixed abode, he would be released from prison remand immediately.