The mother of schoolgirl Shannon Matthews, who went missing for 24 days earlier this year, has been charged with her kidnap and false imprisonment.

The mother of schoolgirl Shannon Matthews, who went missing for 24 days earlier this year, has been charged with her kidnap and false imprisonment.

Karen Matthews, 32, had previously been accused of perverting the course of justice and child neglect.

The extra charges were revealed yesterday during a plea hearing at Leeds Crown Court.

Ms Matthews appeared in court along with Michael Donovan, 40, who is already charged with nine-year-old Shannon's kidnap and false imprisonment.

He is also charged with perverting the course of justice, the court heard.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice charges.

No plea was entered for the child neglect charge.

During the 45-minute hearing, Mr Donovan and Ms Matthews did not look at each other and sat stareing straight ahead, listening to the proceedings.

It is the first time the pair have appeared side by side in the dock.

Shannon disappeared on February 19 and was eventually discovered in a drawer of a bed in a house less than a mile from her home in Dewsbury Moor, West Yorkshire, 24 days after she went missing.

Mr Donovan, of Dewsbury, was arrested on March 14 after the schoolgirl was found.

Formerly known as Paul Drake, he is the uncle of Shannon's stepfather, Craig Meehan.

Police mounted a massive investigation involving hundreds of officers and a team of 60 detectives to try to find Shannon.

Ms Matthews and Mr Donovan were remanded back into custody until their trial on November 11.