Shannon 'kidnapper' in suicide bid

Updated 23.53 Sun Apr 06 2008

Keywords: Michael Donovan, Craig Meehan, Shannon Matthews

The man accused of kidnapping Shannon Matthews has reportedly tried to kill himself in jail.

Michael Donovan, 39, the uncle of the schoolgirl's stepfather Craig Meehan, was rushed to hospital after "a case of serious self harm" at Leeds Prison, according to prison sources.

Donovan, formerly known as Paul Drake, of Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, was arrested on March 14 after the nine-year-old was found at his flat less than a mile from her home

Donovan, formerly known as Paul Drake, of Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, was arrested on March 14 after the nine-year-old was found at his flat less than a mile from her home.

He is charged with Shannon's kidnap and imprisonment and is due to stand trial at Leeds Crown Court in November.

A Prison Service spokesman said: "A prisoner from Leeds was taken to hospital overnight following a case of serious self-harm.

"Staff responded to the incident promptly and with great professionalism and the prisoner has now been returned to HMP Leeds."

Shannon went missing in Dewsbury on February 19 and was found after a 24-day police search.

Three other people accused of being involved in the case have also been detained.

Craig Meehan, 22, has been charged with 11 counts of possessing indecent images of children.

A 25-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and a 49-year-old woman was detained on suspicion of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Both women were arrested on Thursday and freed on bail the following day pending further inquiries.