Trial date for Shannon 'kidnapper'

The man accused of abducting schoolgirl Shannon Matthews will stand trial later this year.

Michael Donovan, 39, the uncle of the nine-year-old's stepfather Craig Meehan, appeared at Leeds Crown Court charged with her kidnap and false imprisonment.

Shannon disappeared after going on a school swimming trip on February 19 and was discovered less than a mile from her home in Dewsbury Moor, West Yorkshire, 24 days later.

Donovan, of Lidgate Gardens, Dewsbury, spoke only to confirm his name during the preliminary hearing.

He appeared via video link wearing a blue sweatshirt and was watched by a number of members of the Dewsbury Moor community sitting in the public gallery.

The Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC, remanded Donovan in custody and fixed a provisional trial date for November 11.

West Yorkshire Police mounted a massive investigation involving hundreds of officers and a team of 60 detectives to track Shannon down. Donovan, formerly known as Paul Drake, was arrested on March 14 after the youngster was found at his home.

It is alleged that he "unlawfully and by force or fraud took away Shannon Matthews against her will" on February 19 and that he "at 26 Lidgate Gardens, Dewsbury, unlawfully and injuriously imprisoned Shannon Matthews and detained her against her will" between February 18 and March 15.

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