Shannon stepfather back in court

Craig Meehan was arrested at the family home

The stepfather of Shannon Matthews has appeared in court accused of possessing child pornography.

Craig Meehan, 22, stood in the dock at Dewsbury Magistrates Court to face 11 specimen charges relating to indecent images of children.

Mr Meehan, the partner of Shannon's mother, Karen Matthews, 32, was arrested during the investigation into the girl's disappearance.

He was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on 18 April.

About 140 images were allegedly found on two computers at the couple's home.

Until his arrest Mr Meehan lived at Ms Matthews' home on Moorside Road, Dewsbury Moor.

Home boarded-up

He is father to one of Ms Matthews' seven children.

Ms Matthews is currently being held in custody after appearing in court earlier this week accused of perverting the course of justice and neglect of a child.

Both charges she faces relate to Shannon's disappearance.

The family home has since been boarded up by Kirklees Council workers.

Shannon, nine, went missing on 19 February and was discovered 24 days later at the home of Mr Meehan's uncle, Michael Donovan, 39, at Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr.

Relatives arrested

Mr Donovan was arrested and charged following her discovery and is awaiting trial accused of kidnap and false imprisonment.

Meanwhile other relatives have been arrested in connection with the inquiry.

They include Amanda Hyett, 25, and Caroline Meehan, 29, who are both sisters of Craig Meehan. They were questioned on Thursday by police along with their mother, 49-year-old Alice Meehan.

All three were arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and were bailed.