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Missing Shannon 'drugged' in flat Missing Shannon 'drugged' in flat
(10 minutes later)
Missing schoolgirl Shannon Matthews had been drugged and subdued in the flat where she was found, a court has heard.Missing schoolgirl Shannon Matthews had been drugged and subdued in the flat where she was found, a court has heard.
Shannon's mother, Karen Matthews, and Michael Donovan are on trial over the nine-year-old's disappearance in West Yorkshire in February this year.Shannon's mother, Karen Matthews, and Michael Donovan are on trial over the nine-year-old's disappearance in West Yorkshire in February this year.
Karen Matthews denies kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.Karen Matthews denies kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.
Mr Donovan has also denied kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice at Leeds Crown Court.Mr Donovan has also denied kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice at Leeds Crown Court.
Prosecutor Julian Goose, QC, told the court Ms Matthews, 33, had raised the alarm about her daughter's disappearance on 19 February.Prosecutor Julian Goose, QC, told the court Ms Matthews, 33, had raised the alarm about her daughter's disappearance on 19 February.
He said it was part of a "wicked and dishonest plan" to kidnap the girl by her mother and the man whose flat she was found in.He said it was part of a "wicked and dishonest plan" to kidnap the girl by her mother and the man whose flat she was found in.
Mr Goose added that Mr Donovan kept Shannon "drugged, subdued and hidden from the public" and bought newspapers which described the extent of the investigation.Mr Goose added that Mr Donovan kept Shannon "drugged, subdued and hidden from the public" and bought newspapers which described the extent of the investigation.
The court heard that their plan had been to claim the reward money for the youngster's return.The court heard that their plan had been to claim the reward money for the youngster's return.
Ms Matthews, of Moorside Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, and Mr Donovan, of Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, deny the charges.Ms Matthews, of Moorside Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, and Mr Donovan, of Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, deny the charges.
'Impassioned pleas'
The disappearance of Shannon, now 10, sparked a massive search operation by West Yorkshire Police which became one of the highest-profile missing person inquiries ever seen in the UK.The disappearance of Shannon, now 10, sparked a massive search operation by West Yorkshire Police which became one of the highest-profile missing person inquiries ever seen in the UK.
The prosecution said Karen Matthews took part in a 'wicked' plan
Mr Goose said the "overwhelming likelihood is that the reason for the plan was dishonestly to obtain the reward money offered by the press".Mr Goose said the "overwhelming likelihood is that the reason for the plan was dishonestly to obtain the reward money offered by the press".
The court heard that at its height the reward fund had reached £50,000.The court heard that at its height the reward fund had reached £50,000.
Mr Goose said: "Both defendants stood by and watched the very large police investigation and assistance by many members of the public in the search for Shannon.Mr Goose said: "Both defendants stood by and watched the very large police investigation and assistance by many members of the public in the search for Shannon.
"Karen Matthews made impassioned public pleas for the recovery of her daughter, some of those you will see from television recordings shown on national television.""Karen Matthews made impassioned public pleas for the recovery of her daughter, some of those you will see from television recordings shown on national television."
He said "other victims" in the case were the friends, neighbours and residents of the Dewsbury Moor estate who helped look for the youngster.He said "other victims" in the case were the friends, neighbours and residents of the Dewsbury Moor estate who helped look for the youngster.
The court heard Shannon went to school as "part of a normal school day" and was looking forward to swimming for the first time with her friends.The court heard Shannon went to school as "part of a normal school day" and was looking forward to swimming for the first time with her friends.
Shannon and her friends were taken by bus to the swimming pool. At the end of the trip they returned to school at about 3.10GMT on 19 February.Shannon and her friends were taken by bus to the swimming pool. At the end of the trip they returned to school at about 3.10GMT on 19 February.
"After the teachers saw Shannon and the other children get off the bus, there was no further sighting of her," Mr Goose said."After the teachers saw Shannon and the other children get off the bus, there was no further sighting of her," Mr Goose said.
He told the court that waiting on the route home was Donovan, who was sitting in his Peugeot car.He told the court that waiting on the route home was Donovan, who was sitting in his Peugeot car.
"Donovan had arranged with Karen Matthews to take Shannon in his car and as Donovan was later to say to the police, he tricked her by telling Shannon he was taking her to the fair.""Donovan had arranged with Karen Matthews to take Shannon in his car and as Donovan was later to say to the police, he tricked her by telling Shannon he was taking her to the fair."
The case continues The case continues.