Shannon mother on trial for kidnap
The prosecution is opening its case in the trial of Karen Matthews who is accused of kidnapping her own daughter.
Matthews, 33, is on trial along with Michael Donovan, 40, charged with the kidnap and false imprisonment of Shannon.
The youngster, who was nine at the time, went missing for 24 days earlier this year.
Matthews and Donovan have already pleaded not guilty to the charges and have also denied perverting the course of justice.
Shannon disappeared on February 19, sparking a massive search operation by West Yorkshire Police which became one of the highest-profile missing person inquiries ever seen in Britain.
She was found less than a mile from her home on Moorside Road, Dewsbury Moor, West Yorkshire, 24 days after she vanished.
Donovan, of Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, was arrested on the day she was found.
Formerly known as Paul Drake, he is the uncle of Matthews' ex-partner, Craig Meehan.
A jury of seven men and five women was sworn in on Tuesday afternoon. The potential jurors were asked a number of questions, including whether they had been involved in the search for Shannon.
The trial is expected to last three weeks.
