Shannon mother's ex denies porn charges

LONDON (Reuters) - The former partner of Shannon Matthews' mother denied possessing child pornography at a court appearance on Friday.

Craig Meehan, 22, faces 11 specimen charges relating to the possession of indecent images of children.

The supermarket fishmonger, who lived with Shannon's 32-year-old mother Karen, entered a not guilty plea at Dewsbury Magistrates Court in West Yorkshire, a court official said.

He chose to stand trial before magistrates, rather than a jury at crown court, and was remanded in custody till May 14.

He had been arrested by detectives investigating nine-year-old Shannon's disappearance.

She was found after a massive police hunt 24 days after she went missing in February following a school swimming trip in Dewsbury.

Police discovered her hidden in the base of a bed around a mile from her home and she has remained in the care of local social services ever since.

Michael Donovan, Meehan's 39-year-old uncle, has been charged with abduction and imprisonment.

Donovan will go on trial in November alongside Karen Matthews, who has been charged with perverting the course of justice. Both are being held on remand.