Karen Matthews faked the disappearance of her nine -year-old daughter sparking a massive search operation knowing all the time she was with Michael Donovan, her boyfriend's uncle, Julian Goose QC, prosecuting, told Leeds Crown Court.

The 999 call she made on February 19 reporting Shannon had failed to arrive home from school triggered their "dishonest and wicked plan" and her daughter's 24 day ordeal.

When police finally found Shannon at Donovan's flat on March 14 tests revealed she had been given Temazepam and a travel sickness drug to keep her drowsy and quiet.

Officers also discovered a list of rules she had to follow and an elasticated strap attached to a roof beam which Donovan probably used to restrict the girl's movements when he went out.

Mr Goose told the jury the plot sparked one of the largest search investigations ever undertaken by the West Yorkshire force, involving hundreds of officers, neighbours and massive media publicity which led to a £50,000 reward being offered.

He said it was the prosecution case that Matthews was a "proven, consummate liar" who had conjured up tears to convince others of a "barefaced lie."

He told the jury that Shannon was one innocent victim of the plan. The other victims were the friends, neighbours and residents of Dewsbury Moor who helped look for her, the police and emergency services and the public at large who followed the day-to-day events of the search, "only then to discover that it had all been a lie, a trick and a deliberately false complaint," said Mr Goose.

Matthews, 33, of Moorside Road, Dewsbury Moor, and Donovan, 40, of Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, both deny kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.

Mr Goose said the overwhelming likelihood was that the plan was to obtain the £50,000 reward money offered by the Press.

"Both defendants stood by and watched the very large police investigation and assistance by members of the public in the search for Shannon."

Mr Goose showed the jury examples of Matthews's televised pleas for the return of her daughter, sometimes holding the child's favourite teddy.

"Karen Matthews also gave deliberately misleading and false leads for investigation by the police," he said.

Meanwhile Donovan, with Shannon drugged, subdued, "under rules" and hidden in his flat, followed the investigation and growing reward in the Press.

On March 14 police forced their way into Donovan's home and found Shannon hidden in the base of a bed after hearing a girl's voice saying "Stop it you're frightening me".

Donovan was hiding in the other half of the divan base and was arrested after a struggle.

Tests revealed not only that Shannon had been drugged but had also been given Temazepam while living with her mother.

"We say the continued use of Temazepam upon a nine-year-old child, both before and after her kidnap, must have been with the knowledge of Karen Matthews," said Mr Goose.

Donovan told police the plan was to claim the reward when he pretended to find Shannon at Dewsbury Market but claimed he acted under duress.

When she suggested the plan: "I told her I wasn't interested and she then threatened if I didn't do it she would get three lads on to me, I knew one of the people she mentioned has stabbed a man and killed him. I was frightened if I didn't do it they would come after me."

Mr Goose said the prosecution believed Donovan was a willing participant in the plan.

Matthews initially denied any involvement but later told police she had asked him to take Shannon as she needed help to leave her then partner Craig Meehan.Later, she blamed Meehan and members of his family.

The case was adjourned and will resume today. Check back here for updates throughout the day

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