TRIAL DATE SET FOR SHANNON MATTHEWS KIDNAP CASE
A 39-year-old Batley man charged with the kidnapping and false imprisonment of the schoolgirl Shannon Matthews will go on trial later this year, a judge has ruled.
Michael Donovan appeared at Leeds crown court via video link from his prison cell this morning (Weednesday).
Wearing a blue sweatshirt, he spoke only to confirm his name before being told his trial will begin in November.
Shannon disappeared on February 19 on her way home from school in Dewsbury Moor.
She was found alive 24 days later at Donovan's flat in Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr.
Donovan, formerly known as Paul Drake, is the uncle of Shannon's stepfather.
He has been charged with taking away Shannon by force or fraud on February 19, and unlawfully imprisoning her between February 18 and March 15.
Donovan made no application for bail and was remanded into custody by the recorder of Leeds, Peter Collier QC.
He is due to enter pleas on both charges at a preliminary hearing on July 11.
The provisional trial date has been fixed for November 11.
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