A MAN arrested after allegedly snatching his four-month-old baby daughter from social services has tonight been charged with raping a boy.

Stephen Moses, 29, of Stanley, County Durham, was arrested in the Cricketers Arms pub, in Barnard Castle, on Tuesday afternoon – hours after Durham Police issued a public appeal to find him and his partner Sarah Corbett.

The couple disappeared from Stanley with their four-month-old baby daughter on Monday, following an arranged visit by Ms Corbett to see the child - which was held at the town's social services office.

Staff were unaware Mr Moses, who is not allowed unsupervised contact with his daughter, was waiting outside in a car. 

After Mr Moses was spotted outside the Cricketers Arms having a cigarette, police found the baby safe and well with her mother in an upstairs bedroom inside the pub.

The child was taken back into the care of social services. 

Mr Moses and Ms Corbett, 31, who is also of Stanley and who is also known as Sarah Rutter, were both arrested on suspicion of exposing a child to neglect and kept in police custody overnight.

On Wednesday, Durham Police officers questioned them at separate police stations in County Durham, before both were bailed to mid-December pending further enquiries.

However, Durham Police then passed the couple into the custody of Northumbria Police, who wished to question them regarding other alleged offences.

Later, Northumbria Police issued a statement saying Mr Moses had been charged with raping a male aged under 13, sexual assault by touching of a male aged under 13 and inciting a male aged under 13 to engage in a sex act.

In addition, Ms Corbett was charged with child neglect.

All charges related to alleged offences in the Bedlington area of Northumberland.

Mr Moses and Ms Corbett are due to appear before South-East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court, in Bedlington, on Thursday.

Both were remanded in custody until their court appearance.

Rachael Shimmin, Durham County Council’s corporate director of children and adult services, said the council was extremely pleased the baby girl was safe and thanked the police, the public and the media for their help.

She added: “Our primary concern throughout this has been the safety of a vulnerable little girl.

“It is now our responsibility to maintain case confidentiality for this little baby just as we would for any other child in our care.

“For those reasons we will not be issuing any further comment on this case.”

The Northern Echo has taken the decision not to name the baby girl involved, as she is currently in the care of social services.