Menu
17/11/2008
Shannon Trial Halted After Assault
The trial of the 40-year-old man accused of kidnapping Shannon Matthews has been adjourned for one day, while he recovers from a prison attack.
Michael Donovan, along with Shannon's 33-year-old mother Karen Matthews, is standing trial for allegedly kidnapping and falsely imprisoning the schoolgirl.
Mr Donovan was unable to attend Leeds Crown Court today.
The court heard he was still receiving medical treatment following an attack in jail on Thursday evening.
Presiding judge, Justice McCombe, told the jury: "Last Friday, before you came into court, I was informed that on the previous evening Mr Donovan has been assaulted at Leeds Prison by another inmate. As a result he sustained facial injuries.
"Mr Donovan still requires some medical attention and his counsel has asked that we do not sit today for that to be obtained."
The judge said the jury should not draw any conclusions from the attack on the accused.
"It's sometimes what happens in prison, regrettably," said Justice McCombe.
The court has previously been told that Mr Donovan and Ms Matthews hatched a plot to kidnap the then nine-year-old girl to obtain reward money.
Last week, prosecutors put it to the court that Shannon was drugged and probably kept captive on a leash.
Ms Matthews reported her daughter missing on 19 February, earlier this year.
A massive manhunt valued at around £3m ensued, which lasted 24 days.
Police found the girl in Donovan's flat about a mile from her home in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.
Both Mr Donovan and Ms Matthews deny the charges against them.
The trial continues.
(PR/JM)
Michael Donovan, along with Shannon's 33-year-old mother Karen Matthews, is standing trial for allegedly kidnapping and falsely imprisoning the schoolgirl.
Mr Donovan was unable to attend Leeds Crown Court today.
The court heard he was still receiving medical treatment following an attack in jail on Thursday evening.
Presiding judge, Justice McCombe, told the jury: "Last Friday, before you came into court, I was informed that on the previous evening Mr Donovan has been assaulted at Leeds Prison by another inmate. As a result he sustained facial injuries.
"Mr Donovan still requires some medical attention and his counsel has asked that we do not sit today for that to be obtained."
The judge said the jury should not draw any conclusions from the attack on the accused.
"It's sometimes what happens in prison, regrettably," said Justice McCombe.
The court has previously been told that Mr Donovan and Ms Matthews hatched a plot to kidnap the then nine-year-old girl to obtain reward money.
Last week, prosecutors put it to the court that Shannon was drugged and probably kept captive on a leash.
Ms Matthews reported her daughter missing on 19 February, earlier this year.
A massive manhunt valued at around £3m ensued, which lasted 24 days.
Police found the girl in Donovan's flat about a mile from her home in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.
Both Mr Donovan and Ms Matthews deny the charges against them.
The trial continues.
(PR/JM)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 November 2008
Shannon Kidnapped In 'Dishonest And Wicked' Plan
Shannon Matthews was drugged and kidnapped as part of a "dishonest and wicked plan" by her mother and the man whose flat she was found in, a court has heard. The nine-year-old schoolgirl's mother Karen Matthews, and Michael Donovan appeared at Leeds Crown Court today in relation to her disappearance in West Yorkshire earlier this year.
Shannon Kidnapped In 'Dishonest And Wicked' Plan
Shannon Matthews was drugged and kidnapped as part of a "dishonest and wicked plan" by her mother and the man whose flat she was found in, a court has heard. The nine-year-old schoolgirl's mother Karen Matthews, and Michael Donovan appeared at Leeds Crown Court today in relation to her disappearance in West Yorkshire earlier this year.
16 April 2008
Shannon's Mother To Stand Trial Over Her Abduction
The mother of Shannon Matthews is to stand trial in November in relation to the alleged abduction of the schoolgirl. Karen Matthews, 32, of Dewsbury in Yorkshire, appeared at Leeds Crown Court via videolink on Wednesday.
Shannon's Mother To Stand Trial Over Her Abduction
The mother of Shannon Matthews is to stand trial in November in relation to the alleged abduction of the schoolgirl. Karen Matthews, 32, of Dewsbury in Yorkshire, appeared at Leeds Crown Court via videolink on Wednesday.
04 December 2008
Shannon's Mum Guilty Over Kidnap
Karen Matthews has today been found guilty of kidnap offences relating to the high-profile disappearance of her daughter Shannon. Ms Matthews, 33, and her co-accused 40-year-old Michael Donovan were convicted of kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.
Shannon's Mum Guilty Over Kidnap
Karen Matthews has today been found guilty of kidnap offences relating to the high-profile disappearance of her daughter Shannon. Ms Matthews, 33, and her co-accused 40-year-old Michael Donovan were convicted of kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.
05 September 2008
Shannon's Mum Faces Fresh Charges
The mother of Shannon Matthews, the girl who went 'missing' for several weeks earlier this year, has been charged with her kidnap and false imprisonment. These new charges were revealed as Karen Matthews appeared at Leeds Crown Court.
Shannon's Mum Faces Fresh Charges
The mother of Shannon Matthews, the girl who went 'missing' for several weeks earlier this year, has been charged with her kidnap and false imprisonment. These new charges were revealed as Karen Matthews appeared at Leeds Crown Court.
23 January 2009
Karen Matthews Jailed Over Shannon Kidnap
The mother of an eight-year-old girl, who was kidnapped in a plot to claim reward money, has been sentenced to eight years in prison. Karen Matthews, 33, and her co-accused, 40, were earlier found guilty of kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the court of justice. Donovan, her former partner's uncle, was also jailed for eight years.
Karen Matthews Jailed Over Shannon Kidnap
The mother of an eight-year-old girl, who was kidnapped in a plot to claim reward money, has been sentenced to eight years in prison. Karen Matthews, 33, and her co-accused, 40, were earlier found guilty of kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the court of justice. Donovan, her former partner's uncle, was also jailed for eight years.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Cloudy with longer spells of rain during the morning, this rain heavy at times. Generally brighter in the afternoon, but with scattered and at times heavy showers. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A mainly dry evening and night with isolated showers dying out and some longer clear spells. Then it will cloud over towards morning with some heavy showers. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
