The nine-year-old was found at Donovan's flat in Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr.

Donovan, 39, has also been charged with false imprisonment and will appear before Dewsbury magistrates tomorrow morning.

Peter Mann, head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in West Yorkshire, made the announcement at Dewsbury Police Station just after Donovan was charged, at around 10.30pm tonight (Monday).

Mr Mann said: "The CPS has been working closely with police in connection with this case since the arrest of Michael Donovan, also known as Paul Drake, on Friday.

"As the case has developed we have been carefully examining the evidence in order to come to a decision at the earliest possible opportunity.

"Having carefully considered all the evidence we have mae the decision that there is enough evidence that Michael Donovan, aka Paul Drake, is charged with kidnapping and false imprisonment and will appear at Dewsbury Magistrates' Court in the morning.

"We will continue to keep this case under review as it develops."