Hove woman’s suspected kidnapper kept in custody to await trial

A man from Portslade is being held in prison to await trial on a charge of kidnapping a hairdresser’s receptionist from Hove.

Stephen Webber, 41, of George Williams Mews, Portslade, was remanded in custody by Brighton magistrates yesterday (Monday 16 July).

The unemployed photographer is accused of kidnapping 26-year-old Laura Chapman, of Westbourne Gardens, Hove. Miss Chapman had modelled for him.

Webber has also been charged with two offences of assault by beating and one offence of assault causing actual bodily harm.

After Sussex Police found the pair near Eastbourne on Saturday (14 July) Miss Chapman was treated for minor injuries at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, in Brighton, before returning to her family.

She was reported missing last Tuesday (10 July) after she failed to arrive for work.

Webber is due to be tried at Lewes Crown Court on Friday 10 October.