Child Porn Charges For Shannon's Stepdad

The stepfather of Shannon Matthews has appeared in court charged with child pornography offences.

Craig Meehan, 22, from Dewsbury Moor, West Yorkshire, was arrested at the family home on Wednesday. He was charged with ten counts of possessing indecent images of children and appeared before Dewsbury Magistrates Court on Thursday.

He was remanded in custody until April 11.

Mr Meehan has been living with Shannon's mother, Karen Matthews, 32, for around five years. Three of Mrs Matthews' children live in the house, including Shannon and the couple's own two-year-old daughter.

According to reports, the images were allegedly found on a computer in the family home.

A spokesperson from West Yorkshire Police said: "In relation to the welfare of the family's children, it is being dealt with by social services. Police policy is we are not commenting on the welfare of the children."

Shannon, nine, disappeared on February 19, following a school trip. She was discovered on March 14, hidden in the base of a bed in a flat in Batley Carr, following a high-profile police investigation.

Mr Meehan's uncle, Michael Donovan, has been charged with Shannon's kidnap and imprisonment.

The 39-year-old, who lived at the flat where Shannon was found, is appeared before Leeds Crown Court via videolink last week.

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

A trial date has been provisionally set for November 11 in Leeds.

It was revealed on Thursday that Mrs Matthews was reuinted with her daughter for the first time since she disappeared on Wednesday.

Mrs Matthews was reportedly allowed a meeting with Shannon, but the girl remains in the care of Kirklees Social Services, while police try to establish what happened to her during her ordeal.

(KMcA/JM)