Shannon Matthews' alleged kidnapper has denied any knowledge of a strap found in his loft.

Police have released pictures for the first time after the jury was shown evidence of the strap.

It is alleged the strap was used as a leash to restrain Shannon after Michael Donovan, 40, conspired with the schoolgirl's mother, Karen Matthews, to abduct her.

He said the strap was a "mystery" to him as he was unable to get into his loft.

And he claims a list of rules found in his flat was written by Karen Matthews, 33.

Frances Oldham QC, representing Matthews, put it to him: "You wrote these rules out yourself, not copied from another piece of paper?"

Donovan told the jury he copied the instructions for Shannon from a sheet of A4 paper Matthews gave him.

Donovan also denied being the one in control of the kidnap plot.

It was put to him by Mrs Oldham, that his sister Alice Meehan, niece Amanda Hyett, and Matthews' partner Craig Meehan were involved in the plan to abduct the youngster.

Mrs Oldham said to Donovan: "This plan involving Shannon, involved you, Craig, the Hyetts, and Alice, didn't it?"

Donovan said: "Not to what I know about Amanda and Alice."

Mrs Oldham said: "But Craig?"

Donovan replied: "I'm not sure about Craig."

Mrs Oldham continued: "You, Mr Donovan, and members of your family made this plan?"

Donovan said: "No."

Mrs Oldham said Donovan was the person controlling the plan.

She said: "Mr Donovan, you knew exactly what you were doing, didn't you? You were the one in control, you were in control of Shannon?"

Donovan denied the suggestions.

The court has heard how Shannon, who was nine at the time, was found in Donovan's flat 24 days after she went missing from her home in Dewsbury Moor, West Yorkshire, in February this year.

The prosecution allege Donovan kept her drugged and imprisoned in his flat as part of a plan he and Matthews had to claim £50,000 in reward money.

Donovan, of Batley Carr, West Yorkshire, and Matthews both deny kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice in connection with the girl's disappearance.

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