Shannon's mum charged with kidnap

1:36pm Friday 5th September 2008

The mother of schoolgirl Shannon Matthews, who went missing for 24 days earlier this year, has been charged with her kidnap and false imprisonment, a court heard.

Karen Matthews, 32, had previously been accused of perverting the course of justice and child neglect. The extra charges were revealed during a plea hearing at Leeds Crown Court.

Matthews appeared in court along with Michael Donovan, 40, who is already charged with nine-year-old Shannon's kidnap and false imprisonment. He is also charged with perverting the course of justice, the court heard.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice charges. No plea was entered for the child neglect charge.

During the 45-minute hearing, Donovan and Matthews did not look at each other and sat staring straight ahead listening to the proceedings.

It is the first time the pair have appeared side-by-side in the dock.

Three female dock officers attended and the pair were separated in the dock by an empty chair.

Matthews was wearing dark trousers, a white blouse and a beige jacket. She folded her arms throughout the proceedings and looked straight ahead while lawyers discussed legal matters.

Donovan was dressed in a dark blue sweatshirt and light blue trousers and was hunched forward throughout the hearing.

Matthews and Donovan were remanded back into custody until their trial on November 11.

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