Trial set for Shannon mother's ex

Craig Meehan has pleaded not guilty to the charges

The former partner of Shannon Matthews' mother will go on trial later this year accused of possessing child pornography, a judge has ruled.

Craig Meehan appeared at Dewsbury Magistrates' Court, where a trial date was scheduled for 8 September.

The 22-year-old is accused of having 140 indecent images of children which were allegedly found on a computer at the home he shared with Karen Matthews.

Mr Meehan was remanded in custody until the trial, expected to last five days.

Hidden in bed

He was arrested in April by police investigating the disappearance of nine-year-old Shannon.

The 22-year-old is accused of 11 specimen offences of possession of indecent images of children.

Mr Meehan is the father of one of Ms Matthews' seven children.

It is alleged Mr Meehan possessed indecent images of children aged between four and 16, graded at levels one to four - on a scale where one is the least serious and five the most.

Shannon went missing on 19 February and was discovered hidden in the base of a bed in a flat just one mile from her home after a 24-day search by police.

Mr Meehan's uncle Michael Donovan, 39, of Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, has been charged with Shannon's kidnap and imprisonment.

He will go on trial at Leeds Crown Court on 11 November alongside Ms Matthews, who is charged with child neglect and perverting the course of justice.