Shannon 'drugged in kidnap plan'

Schoolgirl Shannon Matthews was 'drugged to subdue her' as part of a 'dishonest and wicked plan' to kidnap her and collect reward money a jury has been told.

Shannon's mother Karen and accomplice Michael Donovan, whose flat Shannon was found in, have gone on trial accused of kidnapping and falsely imprisoning the now ten year old.

Prosecutor Julian Goose QC told Leeds Crown Court that Karen Matthews, 33, raised the alarm about her daughter's disappearance on February 19.

But he said: 'The 999 call was part of a dishonest and we say wicked plan by Michael Donovan and Karen Matthews. Shannon was an innocent victim of the plan. She was kidnapped and falsely imprisoned in the flat where Donovan lived. She was drugged to subdue her during the period of her captivity.'

Matthews and Donovan have both pleaded not guilty to the charges and have also denied perverting the course of justice.

The disappearance of Shannon sparked a massive search operation by West Yorkshire Police. She was found after 24 days less than a mile from her home.

Donovan, the uncle of Matthews' ex partner, was arrested on the day Shannon was discovered in his flat.

The trial is expected to last three weeks.