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Shannon Matthews' mother pleads not guilty

05/09/2008

The mother of Shannon Matthews has pleaded not guilty to charges related to the disappearance of her daughter.

Shannon, nine, went missing for 24 days in February after failing to return to her home in Dewsbury Moor, West Yorkshire, after school.

Her disappearance attracted considerable media attention and sparked a widespread search by West Yorkshire police.

She was eventually found by officers hidden inside a bed belonging to Ms Matthews' former partner's uncle Michael Donovan.

Ms Matthews, 32, and Mr Donovan, 39, appeared at Leeds crown court today charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.

The pair pleaded not guilty to the charges and will now go on trial in November.

Earlier this week, Ms Matthews' former partner Craig Meehan was denied bail at Leeds crown court.

The 22-year-old is accused of possessing 140 indecent images of children, allegedly found on two computers at the home he used to share Ms Matthews.