A MAN accused of the kidnap and false imprisonment of nine-year-old Shannon Matthews will go on trial later this year.
Michael Donovan, 39, appeared for a short hearing at Leeds Crown Court yesterday by video link from Armley Prison.
Shannon disappeared on February 19 and was eventually discovered less than a mile from her home in Dewsbury Moor, 24 days after she
went missing.
West Yorkshire Police mounted a huge investigation involving hundreds of officers and a team of 60 detectives to try to find her.
Donovan was arrested on March 14 after the youngster was found in Batley Carr.
Donovan, formerly known as Paul Drake, is the uncle of Shannon's stepfather, Craig Meehan.
He is charged with two offences.
The first is that on February 19, in Dewsbury, he "unlawfully and by force or fraud, took away Shannon Matthews against her will".
The second is that between February 18 and March 15, he (at Lidgate Gardens, Dewsbury) unlawfully and enduriously imprisoned Shannon Matthews and detained her against her will.
Donovan, of Lidgate Gardens, Dewsbury, spoke only to confirm his name during the eight- minute hearing.
He appeared on the screen wearing a blue sweatshirt and was watched by Dewsbury Moor residents who were sitting in the public gallery.
The Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC, remanded Donovan in custody.
There was no application for bail by Ahmed Nadim, defending.
The judge told the defendant a provisional trial date had been fixed for November 11 and said he would next appear for a plea and case management hearing on July 11 at Leeds Crown Court.
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