Shannon Matthews 'drugged in kidnap plan'

British schoolgirl Shannon Matthews was drugged and imprisoned in a flat after her mother hatched a plan to make £50,000 (€60,800) from her faked kidnap, a court heard today.

A jury was told Shannon was kept locked in a flat for 24 days by Michael Donovan, who police believe used an elasticated strap with a noose on the end to restrain her when he went out.