Trial date set for kidnap accused

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Michael Donovan appeared for a short hearing at Leeds Crown Court by video link.

Shannon disappeared on February 19 and was eventually discovered less than a mile from her home in Dewsbury Moor, West Yorkshire, 24 days after she went missing. She vanished after returning from a school swimming trip.

West Yorkshire Police mounted a huge investigation involving hundreds of officers and a team of 60 detectives in an attempt to find her. Donovan was arrested on March 14 after the youngster was found in Batley Carr.

Donovan, formerly known as Paul Drake, is the uncle of Shannon's stepfather, Craig Meehan.

He is charged with two offences. The first is that on February 19, in Dewsbury, he "unlawfully and by force or fraud, took away Shannon Matthews against her will".

The second is that between February 18 and March 15, he (at 26 Lidgate Gardens, Dewsbury) unlawfully and enduriously imprisoned Shannon Matthews and detained her against her will.

Donovan, of Lidgate Gardens, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, spoke only to confirm his name during the eight minute hearing. He appeared on the screen wearing a blue sweatshirt and was watched by a number of members of the Dewsbury Moor community who were sitting in the public gallery.

The Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC, remanded Donovan in custody. There was no application for bail by Ahmed Nadim, defending.

The judge told the defendant a provisional trial date had been fixed for November 11. He told Donovan he would next appear for a plea and case management hearing on July 11 at Leeds Crown Court.