Man remanded over nurse murder bid charge

Published on Tuesday 6 January 2009 12:34

A man accused of trying to kill a nurse found in the boot of her car made a second court appearance today.

Justice Ngema, 35, appeared at Linlithgow Sheriff Court charged with the attempted murder of Magdeline Makola.

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

Ngema, from South Africa but living in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, made no plea or declaration during the brief hearing and was remanded in custody.

Ms Makola, also born in South Africa, had not been seen since she left work at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on December 15.

Concerns were initially raised when Ms Makola 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.

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.