The case against the mother of Shannon Matthews is "fatally flawed", a jury has heard.

Frances Oldham QC, for Karen Matthews, said the prosecution had failed to answer important questions during the trial at Leeds Crown Court, West Yorks.

The 33-year-old is accused of being part of a plot with Michael Donovan, 40, to benefit from a reward for the youngster's return.

Both deny kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.

The prosecution allege Mr Donovan kept Shannon drugged and imprisoned in his flat in Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, West Yorkshire as part of a plan he and Ms Matthews had to claim 50,000 pounds in reward money.

The schoolgirl was found in Mr Donovan's flat 24 days after she went missing in Dewsbury.

Mrs Oldham told the jury: "Beware of the danger, inherent in this case, of jumping to conclusions."

She added: "We ask you this. We ask you to remember this is a prosecution fatally flawed."