When the child's mother appeared in court, The Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC, warned that speculation or guesswork could create a risk of prejudicing the trial.

His comments came as Shannon's mother Karen Matthews appeared at Leeds Crown Court on charges relating to Shannon's disappearance in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, in February.

Judge Collier said: "Can I just urge the press to exercise great caution in reporting so that nothing that they report might prejudice a fair trial in due course - a fair trial for the prosecution and for the defence. The current charges may not be the final charges in this case.

"It's extremely important that nothing should be reported by way of speculation and guess work as to what may, in due course, be the eventual charges for fear of prejudice."

The judge praised local media, saying that in his opinion they did a responsible job.

But he added: "The great danger is that the national publicity that's generated would make a fair trial impossible anywhere."