Shannon Matthews trial Day 5: Delay after prison attack

Nov 17 2008 By Andrew Jackson

THE jury trying the mother of Dewsbury schoolgirl Shannon Matthews was told it will not sit on Monday as her co-accused is continuing to receive medical treatment following an attack in prison.

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

Donovan and Shannon’s mother, Karen Matthews, 33, were both in the dock ready for the start of the second week of their trial.

Both deny kidnapping and falsely imprisoning Shannon, who was nine when she went missing from her home in Dewsbury in February. They also deny perverting the course of justice.