Shannon Matthews

Karen Matthews has been jailed for 8 years having been found guilty of kidnapping her own daughter in Dewsbury.

Twenty-four days after she disappeared, Shannon was found hidden under a bed in  Michael Donovan's flat in Batley Carr.

She'd been imprisoned there, drugged to subdue her and tethered to a roof beam  so she couldn't escape.

For two weeks the local community pulled together to look for her.

It was one of the largest operations ever undertaken by West Yorkshire police.

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Shannon's disappearance in Dewsbury Moor led to the biggest ever search conducted by West Yorkshire police.

3-and-a-half weeks after she went missing, Shannon was found alive and seemingly well less than a mile from her home in Batley Carr.

Here is how it happened.

February 19:

Shannon is officially last seen outside West Moor Junior School on Dewsbury Moor after a swimming lesson.

The 9 year old is later reported missing - West Yorkshire Police launch a search.

February 20:

Karen Matthews, makes an emotional plea for Shannon to return homs.

Locals join in nighttime searches for the schoolgirl.

February 21:

DS Andy Brennan, the man in charge of the search, says Shannon had 'talked about running away from home'.

Fears grow over her welfare.

February 25:

Officers search through wheelie bins on the route between Shannon's home and school.

March 1:

Karen Matthews pleads for Shannon to come home - a day before Mothers' Day.

March 11:

Detectives confirm over half of the UK's police dogs are involved in the search for Shannon.

March 12:

Shannon’s mother says she believes someone she knows had snatched her daughter.

March 14:

Shannon is found by officers in a flat in Batley Carr.

She was found in the base of a divan bed after being missing for 24 days.

Mick Donovan is arrested.

April 6:

Karen Matthews is arrested.