THE former partner of Shannon Matthews’ mother will go on trial later this year on charges of possessing child pornography.

Craig Meehan, 22, appeared at Dewsbury Magistrates Court accused of possessing 140 indecent images of children, which were allegedly found on a computer at the home he shared with Karen Matthews.

Meehan was remanded back into custody by District Judge Jonathan Bennett until the trial starts on September 8.

He spoke to confirm his name, address.

The case was adjourned for a further hearing on June 25.

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

It is alleged Meehan possessed photographs of children aged between four and 16, graded at levels one to four – on a scale where one is the least serious and five is the most serious.

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

Shannon went missing on February 19 and was discovered in the base of a bed in a flat one mile from her home 24 days later.

Meehan’s uncle, Michael Donovan, 39, of Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, has been charged with Shannon’s kidnap and imprisonment and 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.