Shannon's mother pleads not guilty

LONDON (Reuters) - The mother of Shannon Matthews, the Yorkshire schoolgirl who disappeared earlier this year sparking a massive police hunt, pleaded not guilty to kidnap and false imprisonment charges in court on Friday.

Karen Matthews, 32, also pleaded not guilty at Leeds Crown Court to perverting the course of justice, the Press Association reported.

She did not enter a plea on a child neglect charge.

Appearing in court with her was Michael Donovan, 40, who also denied kidnapping, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.

Shannon went missing following a school swimming trip in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, in February, prompting a national outcry and a huge police search.

The nine-year-old was found safe 24 days later in the base of a bed in a house about a mile from her home.

In April, her mother was charged with perverting the course of justice and child neglect.

She and Donovan were remanded in custody until their trial in November.

(Reporting by Avril Ormsby; Editing by Steve Addison)