A MOTHER and baby were reunited today after a kidnap ordeal.

The drama began last night when the estranged father bundled his partner out of a car and drove off with their baby daughter.

The incident happened in Newhaven when the couple had after driving to the town from Stoke Newington, North London, where they are living separately.

The man was supposedly taking them to his relatives in Brighton for a short stay. Instead, he diverted to Newhaven Harbour.

The woman, an Italian national, was thrown out of the car and the man drove off at speed with their four-month-old daughter still strapped in a car seat.

The mother, who suffered minor injuries, screamed for help.

She ran to a public telephone box in Norton Road, near the East Quay at Newhaven, and dialed 999.

She was housed overnight in an hotel in Newhaven while police continued the hunt.

Then, early today, officers received a telephone call from the man who directed them to an address in Peacehaven.

Police called there shortly before 8am today and found the baby. There was no sign of the man, 29, and police still want to interview him.

He was driving a red Vauxhall Astra, H645 RSS, and police appealed to anyone spotting the car or who witnessed the 6.15pm incident to come forward.

Anyone with information should called Newhaven detectives on 01273 611733.

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