Mother of Shannon Matthews denies new charges of kidnap and false imprisonment

Karen Matthews, 32, was originally charged with neglecting the nine-year-old and lying to the police.

But yesterday prosecutors unexpectedly accused her of being directly involved with her daughter's disappearance.

Accused: Karen Matthews (right) now also faces charges of kidnap and false imprisonment of her daughter Shannon Matthews

A massive search involving hundreds of police and members of the public was organised after Shannon went missing for 24 days this spring.

Police officers eventually found the youngster inside a drawer under a bed in a flat at Batley Carr less than a mile from her home in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.

Matthews appeared alongside her former partner's uncle Michael Donovan and was accused of playing a direct role in the alleged abduction.

Both Matthews and Donovan, 40, pleaded not guilty to three offences of kidnapping, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.

Matthews has also been charged with child neglect, for which she has not entered a plea.

The defendants showed no emotion and did not look at each other during the 45-minute hearing at Leeds Crown Court.

Sitting 3ft apart, they looked ahead impassively as lawyers discussed arrangements for their three-week trial, which is scheduled to start on November 11.

In the dock: A court sketch of Michael Donovan who is also accused of kidnapping and imprisoning Shannon

They are accused of kidnap on February 19, in that 'by force or fraud' they 'took or carried away' Shannon against her will.

A second count of false imprisonment states that between February 18 and March 15 they ' unlawfully and injuriously imprisoned and detained Shannon Matthews against her will'.

The third joint charges allege that between the same dates they 'did a series of acts which had a tendency to pervert the course of public justice'.

They are said to have reported to West Yorkshire Police that Shannon Matthews was a missing person when they 'knew where she was' and 'were keeping her from being found'.

Shannon vanished on February 19 while walking home from school after a swimming trip.

The police hunt for her and the investigation cost  £2.6million and involved 310 officers.

Shannon was found by police on March 14 in a first-floor flat where Donovan was said to live.

Police inquiries led to Matthews being arrested and charged in connection with the incident.

Her ex-partner Craig Meehan, 22, has also been charged with possessing indecent images of children.

He is due to stand trial at Dewsbury Magistrates' Court next week in a case not connected with Shannon's alleged abduction.

Shannon was one of four young children living with Matthews and Meehan at the time of the incident.

No comments can be made on this story because legal proceedings are ongoing.