Police have said Magdeline Makola, 38, was 'severely traumatized' and suffered from dehydration and hypothermia.

The suspect, Justice Ngema, did not enter a plea during a brief appearance at Linlithgow Sheriff Court. He was ordered to remain in custody until his next court date on Jan 6.

Ms Makola had been reported missing after she failed to show up for work at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on Dec 18. Police said she was last seen Dec 15.

Officers found her in the car in the Scottish town of Airdrie, where they had been looking because they had tracked transactions made on her bank card to the area. Makola lives in Livingston, just west of Airdrie. Both towns are between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Officers patrolling Airdrie's streets in search of Ms Makola heard cries coming from the car and broke into it to free her.

She was reported in stable condition on Monday at Monklands Hospital in Airdrie.

Both Ms Makola and Ngema were born in South Africa, police said.

Police had said on Saturday that they were looking for someone Ms Makola knew, in connection with the case. But they did not say on Monday whether Ms Makola and Ngema were acquainted. -- AP