THE former partner of Shannon Matthews’ mother has been refused bail on charges of possessing child pornography.

Craig Meehan, 22, from Dewsbury Moor, is accused of possessing 140 indecent images of children. They were allegedly found on a computer at the home he shared with Karen Matthews.

An application for bail by a barrister at Leeds Crown Court yesterday was refused by Peter Collier, the Recorder of Leeds.

Meehan, who is on remand in Hull Prison, did not appear in person at the short hearing, which was held behind closed doors.

He will now appear before magistrates in Dewsbury on Wednesday, May 14.

The supermarket fishmonger was arrested this month by police investigating Shannon’s disappearance.

He is accused of 11 specimen offences of possessing indecent images of children.

It is alleged that Meehan possessed indecent images of children aged between four and 16.

The pictures were graded at levels one to four, on a scale where one is the least serious and five the most.

They were allegedly found on one of two computers at the family home in Dewsbury Moor where Meehan lived with Matthews, 32, for about five years.

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

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 November 11, alongside Matthews, who is charged with child neglect and perverting the course of justice.

Last week Meehan was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice in connection with the alleged abduction of nine-year-old Shannon.

Other members of Meehan’s family have also been arrested by police investigating Shannon’s disappearance and released on bail pending further inquiries.