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Revealed: 'Shannon Matthews' kidnap flat'

26/11/2008

A court has been shown pictures and images of the flat where Shannon Matthews was allegedly held captive for over three weeks earlier this year.

The schoolgirl's mother Karen and her former boyfriend's uncle Michael Donovan are currently on trial at Leeds crown court charged with kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.

Shannon went missing for 24 days in February before being found in a property in Dewsbury Moor.

The court was today shown images of an apparent elastic strap tethered to the ceiling of Mr Donovan's flat.

The prosecution has claimed that it could have been used to tether Shannon while she was held in the flat.

It is alleged that Mr Donovan kept the girl drugged and imprisoned in the flat as part of a plan with Ms Matthews to claim the £50,000 reward money.

He previously denied he had written a list of rules for Shannon to abide by, claiming he was given them by her mother.

Mr Donovan and Ms Matthews deny the charges. The trial continues.