Man accused of snatching boy, 8

A Dunedin man will appear in court today after allegedly snatching an eight-year-old boy as he waited for his mother outside a public toilet yesterday.

The 45-year-old will face a charge of assaulting a child, the Otago Daily Times reported.

Further charges were likely, police said.

Detective Sergeant Malcolm Inglis said the man, a stranger, allegedly grabbed the boy from behind and threatened him in Marlow Park, St Kilda, yesterday afternoon.

The man let the boy go about 50m from where he was grabbed after members of the public gave chase.

The man was caught in sand dunes at St Kilda beach, and was held until police arrived, Mr Inglis said.

- NZPA