A 39-year-old man will go on trial in the UK later this year for the kidnap and false imprisonment of nine-year-old Shannon Matthews.
Michael Donovan appeared for a short hearing at Leeds Crown Court by video link today.
Shannon Matthews disappeared on 19 February and was eventually discovered less than a mile from her home in Dewsbury Moor, West Yorkshire, 24 days lafer.
She vanished after returning from a school swimming trip.
West Yorkshire Police mounted a huge investigation involving hundreds of officers and a team of 60 detectives in an attempt to find her.
Michael Donovan was arrested on 14 March after the youngster was found in Batley Carr.
Formerly known as Paul Drake, he is the uncle of Shannon's stepfather, Craig Meehan.
The Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC, remanded Michael Donovan in custody at a short hearing today.
He told the defendant a provisional trial date had been fixed for 11 November.
