Prison attack halts Shannon trial

Shannon Matthews disappeared on 19 February

The trial of the man accused of kidnapping Shannon Matthews has been halted so he can receive medical treatment after being attacked in jail.

Michael Donovan, 40, of Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, West Yorkshire, was attacked in prison on Thursday, Leeds Crown Court heard.

Mr Donovan and Shannon's mother Karen, 33, deny kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.

The judge, Mr Justice McCombe, said the trial would resume on Tuesday.

Facial injuries

Shannon was nine when she went missing from her home in Dewsbury in February.

Last week the court heard the prosecution describe how Shannon was kept locked up and drugged in Mr Donovan's flat for 24 days.

Michael Donovan was injured in an attack on Thursday

The prosecution case is that Ms Matthews and Mr Donovan planned the kidnap of Shannon, who is now 10, to claim £50,000 of reward money.

The judge told the jury: "Last Friday, before you came into court, I was informed that on the previous evening Mr Donovan has been assaulted at Leeds Prison by another inmate.

"As a result he sustained facial injuries.

"Mr Donovan still requires some medical attention and his counsel has asked that we do not sit today for that to be obtained."

The judge warned the jury not to draw any conclusions from this course of events.

He added: "It's sometimes what happens in prison, regrettably."