Shannon: Mother remanded in custody

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Karen Matthews, 32, appeared in court at Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, flanked by security guards for the 13-minute hearing.

Matthews is charged with perverting the course of justice and child neglect following her arrest on Sunday. She was remanded in custody until April 16 when she will appear via a videolink at Leeds Crown Court.

Nine-year-old Shannon went missing from Dewsbury Moor on February 19 following a school swimming trip. She was found in the base of a bed at an address just a mile from her home after a 24-day police search involving more than 300 officers.

Matthews was led handcuffed into the dock at the magistrates' court and spoke only to confirm her personal details. There were shouts of "yes" when she was refused bail.

Just hours after appearing in court, contractors began boarding up her semi-detached council home in Moorside Road.

Police also distributed leaflets to local residents insisting they will "find out the truth".

Matthews is the latest family member to be arrested in connection with her daughter's disappearance.

Michael Donovan, of Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, was arrested on March 14, after Shannon was found in his flat. He was later charged with Shannon's kidnap and false imprisonment and is in custody awaiting trial at Leeds Crown Court on November 11. The 39-year-old, formerly known as Paul Drake, is the uncle of Matthews' partner Craig Meehan.

Last week, Meehan's sister, Amanda Hyett, 25, who lives next door to Shannon's mother, and his mother, Alice Meehan, 49, were both arrested in connection with the alleged abduction. Mrs Hyett was questioned on suspicion of assisting an offender and Mrs Meehan on suspicion of attempting to pervert the course of justice.