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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Prison attack halts Shannon trial | Prison attack halts Shannon trial |
| (about 22 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. | 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. |
| Michael Donovan was injured in an attack on Thursday | |
| 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." |