Shannon Matthews: 'mother in custody'

The mother of Shannon Matthews is to remain in custody after detectives were granted a superintendent's extension to question her in connection with the alleged kidnap of her daughter .

West Yorkshire Police now have until Tuesday morning to decide whether to charge Karen Matthews or ask magistrates for more time.

Police said a 32-year-old woman was arrested in Dewsbury on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and is being held in custody.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "Police investigating the alleged abduction of a nine-year-old girl have arrested a 32-year-old woman in Dewsbury on suspicion of perverting the course of justice."

The arrest comes after it emerged that Michael Donovan, who has been charged with Shannon's kidnap and imprisonment, slit his wrists while on remand at Leeds Prison.

Donovan, formerly known as Paul Drake, of Batley Carr, was arrested on March 14 after Shannon was found at his flat.

The 39-year-old is the uncle of Shannon's stepfather, Craig Meehan, 22, who is himself in custody charged with child porn offences.

Meehan's sister, Amanda Hyett, 25, who lives next door to Shannon's mother in Moorside Road, and his mother, Alice Meehan, 49, have also both been arrested in connection with the alleged abduction.

The women were arrested last Thursday, the 25-year-old on suspicion of assisting an offender, and the 49-year-old on suspicion of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The pair were granted bail the following day pending further inquiries.

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