THE mother of Shannon Matthews was found guilty today of kidnapping her own daughter.

Karen Matthews, 33, of Moorside Road, Dewsbury Moor, West Yorkshire, was also convicted by a jury at Leeds Crown Court of false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.

Her co-defendant Michael Donovan, 40, was found guilty of the same offences.

Nine-year-old Shannon was found in Donovan's flat in Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, West Yorkshire, 24 days after she went missing in February.

Neither of the defendants showed any emotion as the jury foreman returned the verdict.

Matthews stood staring straight forward in the stone-coloured jacket she has worn throughout the proceedings and with her red hair hanging untied over her shoulders.

Donovan stood a few feet away from her, separated by a court security officer.

There was silence from the rest of the court following the verdict after the judge warned the public gallery against over-emotional responses.

The jury of seven men and five women took around six hours to find Matthews and Donovan unanimously guilty of all charges.

After they returned their verdict, Mr Justice McCombe thanked the jury members for their careful consideration throughout the trial.

The judge said: "You have done it with great aplomb and behaved with great dignity."

Outside court, friends and neighbours of Matthews spoke of their feelings following the conviction.

Petra Jamieson said she was shocked that Matthews showed no emotion as the verdicts were delivered.

She said: "She didn't seem bothered.

"I don't think it has hit home yet. Maybe it will when she comes to be sentenced.

"I can't believe she showed no emotion."