This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/west_yorkshire/7733289.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Prison attack halts Shannon trial | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The trial of the man accused of kidnapping Shannon Matthews has been halted so he can receive medical treatment after being attacked in jail. | |
Michael Donovan, 40, of Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, West Yorkshire, was attacked in prison on Thursday, Leeds Crown Court heard. | Michael Donovan, 40, of Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, West Yorkshire, was attacked in prison on Thursday, Leeds Crown Court heard. |
Mr Donovan and Shannon's mother Karen, 33, deny kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice. | Mr Donovan and Shannon's mother Karen, 33, deny kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice. |
The judge, Mr Justice McCombe, said the trial would resume on Tuesday. | The judge, Mr Justice McCombe, said the trial would resume on Tuesday. |
Facial injuries | Facial injuries |
Shannon was nine when she went missing from her home in Dewsbury in February. | Shannon was nine when she went missing from her home in Dewsbury in February. |
Last week the court heard the prosecution describe how Shannon was kept locked up and drugged in Mr Donovan's flat for 24 days. | Last week the court heard the prosecution describe how Shannon was kept locked up and drugged in Mr Donovan's flat for 24 days. |
Shannon Matthews disappeared on 19 February | Shannon Matthews disappeared on 19 February |
The prosecution case is that Ms Matthews and Mr Donovan planned the kidnap of Shannon, who is now 10, to claim £50,000 of reward money. | The prosecution case is that Ms Matthews and Mr Donovan planned the kidnap of Shannon, who is now 10, to claim £50,000 of reward money. |
The judge 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. | The judge 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. | "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." | "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 warned the jury not to draw any conclusions from this course of events. | The judge warned the jury not to draw any conclusions from this course of events. |
He added: "It's sometimes what happens in prison, regrettably." | He added: "It's sometimes what happens in prison, regrettably." |