Accused: I wasn't one in control

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Michael Donovan, 40, was accused at Leeds Crown Court on Wednesday of being involved with other members of his family in a plan to abduct the schoolgirl.

Donovan and Shannon's mother Karen Matthews, 33, both deny kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice in connection with the girl's disappearance.

It was put to him by Matthews' barrister, Frances Oldham QC, that his sister Alice Meehan, niece Amanda Hyett, and Matthews' partner Craig Meehan were involved in the plan to abduct the youngster.

Mrs Oldham said to Donovan: "This plan involving Shannon, involved you, Craig, the Hyetts, and Alice, didn't it?"

Donovan said: "Not to what I know about Amanda and Alice." Mrs Oldham said: "But Craig?" Donovan replied: "I'm not sure about Craig."

Mrs Oldham continued: "You, Mr Donovan, and members of your family made this plan?" Donovan said: "No."

Mrs Oldham said Donovan was the person controlling the plan. She said: "Mr Donovan, you knew exactly what you were doing, didn't you? You were the one in control, you were in control of Shannon?" Donovan denied the suggestions.

The court has heard how Shannon, who was nine at the time, was found in Donovan's flat 24 days after she went missing from her home in Dewsbury Moor, West Yorkshire, in February.

The prosecution allege Donovan kept her drugged and imprisoned in his flat as part of a plan he and Matthews had to claim £50,000 in reward money.