26/03/2008

Trial Date Set For Shannon Kidnap Accused

A 39-year-old man accused of the kidnap and false imprisonment of West Yorkshire schoolgirl Shannon Matthews is to stand trial later this year.

Michael Donovan, from Lidgate Gardens in Dewsbury, appeared at Leeds Crown Court via videolink on Wednesday.

He has been charged with two charges of taking the nine-year-old against her will and detaining her against her will.

The trial date has been provisionally set for November 11 in Leeds and Mr Donovan was remanded in custody.

He is next due to appear in court on July 11 for a plea and case management hearing.

Shannon disappeared on February 19, following a school swimming trip. She was found in Batley Carr on March 14.

Mr Donovan, formerly known as Paul Drake and the uncle of Shannon's stepfather Craig Meehan, was arrested after Shannon was found.

(KMcA)


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16 April 2008
Shannon's Mother To Stand Trial Over Her Abduction
The mother of Shannon Matthews is to stand trial in November in relation to the alleged abduction of the schoolgirl. Karen Matthews, 32, of Dewsbury in Yorkshire, appeared at Leeds Crown Court via videolink on Wednesday.
17 November 2008
Shannon Trial Halted After Assault
The trial of the 40-year-old man accused of kidnapping Shannon Matthews has been adjourned for one day, while he recovers from a prison attack. Michael Donovan, along with Shannon's 33-year-old mother Karen Matthews, is standing trial for allegedly kidnapping and falsely imprisoning the schoolgirl.
04 April 2008
Two Women Arrested In Shannon Matthews Case
Police have arrested two members of Shannon Matthew's family as the investigation into the alleged abduction of West Yorkshire schoolgirl continues.
01 May 2008
Uncle Refused Bail Over Shannon 'Abduction'
While other members of the previously 'abducted' girl Shannon Matthew's family have now been released on bail pending further inquiries, the man actually accused of the kidnap and imprisonment of the schoolgirl has today been refused bail.
12 November 2008
Shannon Kidnapped In 'Dishonest And Wicked' Plan
Shannon Matthews was drugged and kidnapped as part of a "dishonest and wicked plan" by her mother and the man whose flat she was found in, a court has heard. The nine-year-old schoolgirl's mother Karen Matthews, and Michael Donovan appeared at Leeds Crown Court today in relation to her disappearance in West Yorkshire earlier this year.