Inside Shannon's hideaway: Pictures of the dirty flat where the schoolgirl lived undetected for 24 days

This bedroom in Mick Donovan's council flat may have been where nine-year-old Shannon was held while she was missing for almost a month.

A bizarre assortment of items are strewn across the sparse room with a bare metal bed-frame and cheap wooden furniture.

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Donovan's bedroom, where Shannon was discovered hidden in the drawers of a divan bed on March 14, is nextdoor to the threadbare room in Batley Carr, West Yorkshire.

The 39-year-old, Shannon's stepfather's uncle, is now in custody accused of kidnapping the schoolgirl.

A glue gun can been seen lying on top of the metal bunk-bed next to an electronic keyboard.

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Underneath there appears to be more childish items, such as a CD by one of Shannon's favourite bands, Busted, and a children's highway code book.

The colourful booklet, Arrive Alive, gives youngsters advice on how to find the safest route home and how to cross the road safely.

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Shannon vanished when she walked home from a swimming lesson in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, on February 19.

She is now living with a foster family while her mother awaits trial for perverting the course of justice and child neglect.

She is said to be confused about what happened while she was missing, reportedly believing she was taken on a day-trip to the seaside.

A neighbour said to the Daily Mirror: "People are still talking about what she went through in that flat.

"The poor little girl must be so confused about it all. We just pray she comes out of it all right."

Police are believed to have removed a variety of items from the property such as mattresses from the bunk beds, blankets and pillows

The neighbour added: "The flat has been empty since the forensic people left.

"Council workers took away a couple of bags of rubbish the police left behind.

"They said they'd be coming back to sort the place out at some stage."

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Karen Matthews appeared at Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday via a video link from prison.

Shannon's mother spoke only to confirm her name and confirm that she could hear the proceedings.

She is set to stand trial with Donovan, who was represented at the hearing by his solicitor.

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Donovan is charged with the abduction and false imprisonment of the nine-year-old.

The hearing lasted ten minutes and there were no applications for bail.

The charge put to Matthews alleges that she "repeatedly concealed information in relation to the whereabouts of Shannon Matthews in interviews and other contacts with officers with the West Yorkshire Police and claimed to have no knowledge of her whereabouts".

Both defendants will appear at the court again for a plea hearing on July 11.

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A number of members of Shannon's extended family have also been arrested by officers investigating the incident. They have been bailed pending further inquiries.

Craig Meehan, Matthews's former partner, has appeared in court on child pornography charges not related to Shannon's disappearance.

He has been remanded in custody awaiting trial.