THE mother of Shannon Matthews was appearing in court today charged in connection with her daughter’s alleged abduction.
Karen Matthews, 32, is accused of perverting the course of justice and child neglect and was appearing at Leeds Crown Court via a videolink from Flockton’s New Hall prison.
Nine-year-old Shannon went missing from Dewsbury Moor on February 19 following a school swimming trip.
She was found in the base of a bed at an address just a mile from her home after a 24-day police search.
Matthews, of Moorside Road, Dewsbury Moor, is accused of having “repeatedly concealed information in relation to the whereabouts of Shannon Matthews in interviews and other contacts with officers with the West Yorkshire Police and claimed to have no knowledge of her whereabouts.”
Michael Donovan, of Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, has been charged with Shannon’s kidnap and false imprisonment and is in custody awaiting trial at Leeds Crown Court on November 11.
The 39-year-old, formerly known as Paul Drake, is the uncle of Matthews’ partner Craig Meehan.
