A 36‑year‑old man charged with one count of stealing a child has been released on bail by the Nasinu Magistrates Court.

It is alleged that Melvin Atish Ram stole a one‑year‑nine‑month‑old baby from his defacto partner's house in Nadera last month.

The matter was reported at the Valelevu Police Station by the defacto partner that her baby was missing from home.

The officers then tracked Ram's vehicle and he was arrested at Vesivesi road in Kinoya.

He is also charged with one count of resisting arrest.

The defense counsel told Magistrate Sufia Hamza that it was a misunderstanding with Ram’s in-laws and the accused did not intend to steal the child.

The matter will be called on the 7th of next month.