SHANNON Matthews' stepfather has been remanded in custody on charges of accessing child pornography.

Craig Meehan, 22, appeared before magistrates in Dewsbury, accused of 11 specimen offences of possession of indecent images of children.

The court was told he faces 11 charges of possessing 140 indecent images of children graded at levels one to four, four being the most serious level.

The images were found on two computers recovered from Meehan's address in Dewsbury Moor, the court was told.

The defendant entered the dock in handcuffs flanked by two security guards.

Wearing glasses and a black Manchester United shirt with the name Ronaldo on the back, he spoke only to confirm his name, address and age.

He sat and looked straight ahead throughout the 10 minute hearing and showed no emotion as details of the charges were read out.

Friends of the family packed the courtroom to listen to the allegations.

Magistrate Wayne Perriman remanded fishmonger Meehan in custody until April 11 when he will appear again at Dewsbury Magistrates’ Court.

Nine-year-old Shannon disappeared on February 19 and was discovered hidden in the base of a bed in a flat at Lidgate Gardens, just one mile from her home in Dewsbury after a dramatic 24-day search by police.

Meehan's uncle, Michael Donovan, 39, who lived at the flat in Batley Carr, has been charged with her kidnap and imprisonment.

His trial has been provisionally set for November 11 at Leeds Crown Court.