Shannon Matthews' mother trial

Mother of Shannon Matthews will face trial in November

The mother of Shannon Matthews will face trial after being charged with child neglect and perverting the course of justice.

Michael Donovan, the uncle of Shannon's stepfather, will also stand trial after police charged him with Shannon's kidnapping and false imprisonment.

Karen Matthews appeared at Leeds Crown Court via video link and was remanded back into custody to await trial on 11 November.

The 32-year-old was charged in connection with her daughter's disappearance on 8 April. The nine-year-old was last seen on 19 February leaving a local swimming pool and discovered 24 days later, hiding in the base of a divan bed at Michael Donovan's home.

Donovan is the uncle of Shannon's stepfather, Craig Meehan, who has separately been charged with possessing indecent images of children.