'Kidnap trial' for Shannon mother

[sandrajo]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_yorksh ire/7350062.stm


The mother of Shannon Matthews will go on trial alongside Michael Donovan, who is charged with Shannon's kidnapping and false imprisonment.

Karen Matthews, 32, of Dewsbury, Yorks appeared at Leeds Crown Court via video link to face charges of child neglect and perverting the course of justice.

The second charge states she "repeatedly concealed information" in relation to Shannon's whereabouts.

Ms Matthews was remanded back into custody to go on trial on 11 November.

I know this topic has been discussed endlessly. The whole thing is so sad but what makes someone treat their own kid in this way? Did she honestly think she would have gotten away with it?

[barney4444]

Picture the scene.. all sitting about swigging cans of stella watching a episode of shameless, then hey "heres a plan" too get some more money for booze and fags when the giro runs out.

Hide Shannon round uncle Michaels house and say shes missing then we will get loads of money....

Then it all went tits up... but no matter we will all keep paying while they just drift along contributing nothing....

[sandrajo]

yeah I think you've made the scene. But what would drive a MOTHER to do that to her child? she'll probably end up pleading insanity or something. I just can't believe the lengths some people will go to!!!

[haysi06]

sis, I just can't fathom this woman at all. There are so many questions that need to be answered. You know my feelings re children....you need a licence for a T.V and a car but any old psycho can have a child! (OK that's pretty strong, but you know what I mean).

Children should be loved, cherished and protected. This womans actions are beyond belief.

Hxx

[sp1814]

There is an 'up' side to this story.

If it turns out (as it currently appears to be) a big scam, then at least we can be sure that the girl wasn't abducted for sexual reasons.

However, what the episode may do to her psychologically in future remains to be seen.

Incidentally, from what I've read, it might not have been a scam at all. The story which has been circulating amongst journalists (don't know if it's made the papers) is that Karen was due to leave her husband for his uncle and then at the last minute changed her mind.

No - I can't work out how the daughter would've been used as a pawn in that either.

[meglet]

Something that's got me a bit confused is why they've charged them both with "kidnap" when they knew exactly where she was. Does anyone know the legal definition of kidnap?

[mj8183]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kidnap

does this help?

agree with you by the way, dont know how a mother could do it.

[Ethel]

I don't think that is what happened at all.

Karen was having a fling with the chap that 'kidnapped' Shannon and was going to move in with him, taking Shannon with her.

He picked Shannon up from school as arranged but Karen changed her mind at the last minute. He threatens to tell the boyfriend if she doesn't move in - she reports Shannon missing in the hope it will force him to let Shannon go and keep quiet.

It spirals out of control.

He has panicked - he is on the sex offenders' register and may not be allowed solo contact with children.

She's still hoping he will let Shannon go and Shannon will keep schtum.

We don't know who asked the McCann's for money - it could have been any chancer.

The other people that have been arrested are all on his side of the family and may have been trying to protect him.

[persianlady]

Ethel....... I think your theory makes a lot of sense. especially since the mother said that she thought someone had taken Shannon to get back at her. I mean what an odd thing to say, when 9 out of 10 people where thinking that Shannon had most likely been snatched by a paedophile. It will be interesting to learn exactly when the police became aware that something odd was going on. Was it before or after Shannon was found?
What a mess. The younger children who have been taken in to care will only understand that they have lost their mummy and daddy. God help them. I hope they will be able to be with their extended family. Assuming the extended family are ok.

[sandrajo]

good points persianlady....I feel so sorry for the kids as it doesn't matter what the parents have done they will be wanting to be with them as they don't know what is going on. : (

[sandrajo]

sp1814:

I'd heard something like that but haven't seen anything on print yet. It's turning different corners every day!

[stokemaveric]

the kids that are in care now are probably doing cartwheels and jumping for joy at being taken away from such a shambles of a 'family'..............

[sandrajo]

Still, imagine how the mothers of Sarah Payne, Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman to name a few felt when they found out this was just a way to get money, seemingly Sarah was willingly to get involved with the hunt for Shannon and gave them her support 100%....what kind of people are these to make a mockery out of child abduction?? They should be shot!

[squarebear]

The day after she went missing, they were taking a collection wearing pre-printed T-shirts. Seems like it was planned in advance and not a spur of the moment thing.

[Ethel]

I can print tshirts at home in about 15 minutes - most of that time is waiting for the iron to heat up.
That means nothing.

[squarebear]

...and the first thing you would do when your daughter went missing is to think about printing T-shirts and taking a collection?

[Barmaid]

I heard that Shannon is happy with her foster parents and loves the new kitten they have given her. So some good may come from all this.

[sandrajo]

The last thing on your mind would be printing T-shirts and taking a collection, your mind would be all over the place. It's a very sorry tale. I'm glad she's doing ok with her foster parents, she's so better off with them. It still saddens me tho that it had to come to this in the first place. She should of never been allowed to have kids but then that's a whole new can of worms eh?

[1rovert]

WILL YOU PLEASE "STOP CALLING THIS WOMAN A MOTHER". She has proved that she is nothing but a sparm collector. An insult to ALL Mothers.

[Velvetee]

These people are scum. They have no morals, no decency and no conscience. I expect the only reason this inbred creature had any children was for what they could get her, i.e free housing and free money.

I doubt a penny of the child benefit she received for each child was spent on any of them, but kept her and her creepy paedo boyfriend in beer and fags. They both deserve to be burnt at the stake.