Trial date over Shannon 'kidnap'

Shannon Matthews was missing for 24 days before being found

A man accused of the kidnapping and imprisonment of nine-year-old Shannon Matthews has been told he will face a trial later in the year.

Michael Donovan, 39, of Lidgate Gardens, Dewsbury, West Yorks, appeared by a video link from Armley jail in Leeds for the crown court hearing.

He will face two charges of taking the girl against her will and detaining her against her will.

The trial has been provisionally set for 11 November in Leeds.

Mr Donovan, who was formerly known as Paul Drake, was arrested when officers found the youngster in Batley Carr - a mile from her home.

Plea hearing

He is the uncle of Shannon's stepfather Craig Meehan.

Hundreds of officers and 60 detectives were involved in the three week search for Shannon.

Michael Donovan will next appear for a plea and case management hearing at Leeds Crown Court on 11 July.

He was remanded in custody and no application for bail was made on his behalf.