SHANNON MATTHEWS 9 - Dewsbury, Yorkshire (UK) - 19/02/08

PAM SUPPORTFROMIRELAND

Hi twiggy,

Yes, stepmother and sister of Craig Meehan if I have it correctly, heard it on BBC. Sounds like some awful plot!

HIPPY

BBC News

4/4/2008

Women arrested over Shannon case

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bradford/7331107.stm

pam supportfromireland wrote:Oh really Kaz? Where are the others? How complex a life for them!

As I said earlier I thought I had read the information somewhere a few weeks ago!
I have managed to find it!

From Timesonline!
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article3555606.ece

Shannon’s brothers and sisters
Tony, 11, Shannon, nine, Cameron, five, and Courtney, two, all live with her. Her three other siblings Ian, 10, Kelly, six and Daniel, seven, live with their respective fathers.

Another couple of little pieces of info

Neil Hyett, 35 and Amanda Hyett, 25
Amanda Hyett is Craig Meehan's sister, the couple live next door to Karen Matthews and her family on Moorside Road. During the hunt for Shannon police searched their home and garden.


Leon Rose, 29
Shannon’s father is separated from Karen Matthews. He is unemployed and lives with his partner Tracey Matthews, 35, in the countryside outside Huddersfield 10 miles from Shannon’s Dewsbury home.

I wonder if his partner is a relative of Karen Matthews?????

PAM SUPPORTFROMIRELAND

twiggy thanks for this, it is too much!!

KARENJANE

twiglet wrote:

pam supportfromireland wrote:Oh really Kaz? Where are the others? How complex a life for them!

As I said earlier I thought I had read the information somewhere a few weeks ago!
I have managed to find it!

From Timesonline!
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article3555606.ece

Shannon’s brothers and sisters
Tony, 11, Shannon, nine, Cameron, five, and Courtney, two, all live with her. Her three other siblings Ian, 10, Kelly, six and Daniel, seven, live with their respective fathers.

Another couple of little pieces of info

Neil Hyett, 35 and Amanda Hyett, 25
Amanda Hyett is Craig Meehan's sister, the couple live next door to Karen Matthews and her family on Moorside Road. During the hunt for Shannon police searched their home and garden.


Leon Rose, 29
Shannon’s father is separated from Karen Matthews. He is unemployed and lives with his partner Tracey Matthews, 35, in the countryside outside Huddersfield 10 miles from Shannon’s Dewsbury home.

I wonder if his partner is a relative of Karen Matthews?????

Can you imagine if Karen and Tracey Matthews ARE related? That would be too for words.
Karen is 32 and Tracey 35, they could be sisters!!!

Mind you, I think some journalist would've made the connection by now and if they were related we'd know about it.

TAMSIN

What a tangled web

EWE 2

Sky News

Friday 4th April 2008

Shannon's Relatives Granted Bail

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1311846,00.html

MERLYNSAM

The Telegraph

Last Updated: 7:53am BST 05/04/2008

By Paul Stokes

Shannon Matthews police release two women on bail

<snippet>

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "The two women aged 25 and 49 arrested earlier in connection with the kidnap of Shannon Matthews have both been granted police bail pending further inquiries.

"They are required to reattend in May."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/04/05/nshannon105.xml

SMOKIE

News of The World

Sunday 6th April 2008

Dad: I want my Shannon
Real father demands custody

THE real father of kidnap victim Shannon Matthews has vowed to fight for her custody rather than see her taken into permanent care.

Leon Rose will offer the nine-year-old a loving home if she is not allowed to stay with her mum Karen.

Shannon's 10-year-old brother Ian is already living with him and partner Tracey, and Leon told friends: "She's got a good home ready and waiting here as well."

Shannon has not been allowed home to Dewsbury, West Yorks, since she was rescued from a nearby flat last month after going missing for 24 days.

She is still being gently questioned about her ordeal by police but this week saw her 32-year-old mum.

It was reported last night that at that meeting Shannon told her mum she does NOT want to return home.

Worried

Leon, 32, who has two other children, has kept in contact with Shannon after splitting with Karen before his daughter was born—and she has stayed with him at his home ten miles away in Huddersfield.

Leon confided in pals who revealed: "He's worried about his daughter's welfare and determined she should not go into care. He's known for being a good dad and his kids are always polite and never cause any trouble round here."

Another friend of Leon said: "All these twists and turns have been shocking for Leon, but he's staying strong for his children living with him and for Shannon.

"He's had the anguish of searching for his lost daughter, then the relief at her being found alive, now followed by the worry about his little girl's future.

"His exact words to me were, ‘It's breaking my heart not knowing what will happen. I can't wait to see her'." Shannon went missing after scribbling on a bedroom wall: "I want to go and live with my dad." Karen begged her daughter to come back to the family home after a visit with police chaperones.

She asked: "Are you coming back to live with Mummy?"

But Shannon replied: "No. I don't want to come home."

The snub was leaked by Karen's parents June and Gordon Matthews.

June said: "Police told us that during the meeting both Karen and Shannon seemed quite happy. But Karen broke down when it was time for Shannon to leave and begged her to come home.

"They told us Shannon said, ‘No, I've got a pussy cat. I love my pussy cat. It follows me round. It sleeps in my bed.' That must have been devastating for Karen but it's good news that Shannon is so happy."

Secret

Police also told Karen's parents their daughter was being looked after at a secret location and had been placed on suicide watch. June said: "The policeman said, ‘She needs help and sympathy now. She's going through a tough time. She's threatening to kill herself'."

Earlier this week Shannon's stepdad Craig Meehan, 22, was charged with possessing child porn and remanded in custody. And yesterday Meehan's mother was pictured for the first time after her arrest on suspicion of being involved in Shannon's kidnap.

Alice Meehan, 49, returned to her home a few yards from Shannon's after being questioned and bailed on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

Her daughter, Shannon's step-aunt Amanda Hyett, 25, was also bailed after being arrested and questioned on suspicion of assisting her uncle Mike Donovan, who is accused of kidnapping the youngster.

Both women refused to speak. Leon also declined to comment.

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/0604_shannon.shtml

SMOKIE

Shannon has a little kitten according to the story from the NOTW

MERLYNSAM

Yes, we heard she was given a kitten the night she was found. I am sure it is all good therapy for her.

Poor Shannon though................still not in a settled environment. I am so glad that the Dad is offering to give her a home.

MERLYNSAM

The Sunday Times

April 6, 2008

By David Leppard

Shannon Matthews kidnap ‘may have been cash stunt’

<snippet>

Detectives are examining phone and e-mail records this weekend to see whether they support claims by Donovan that some family members colluded with him in Shannon’s kidnap.

He has reportedly told police that Karen and Meehan, 22, may have both been involved in the girl’s disappearance.

Police have officially said that although Karen has been questioned she is not being treated as a suspect.

A senior officer said: “Donovan has been claiming that other members of the family were involved. These may just be lies, but we would not be doing our job properly if we did not investigate these claims thoroughly.”

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article3689998.ece

MERLYNSAM

The Sunday Mirror

6/04/2008

By Kelly Jenkins

I WON'T GO HOME TO MY MUM, says Shannon Matthews

<snippet>

There was a computer in their front room, one in their kitchen and one in their bedroom. It made you wonder what he's been doing in that bedroom.

http://tinyurl.com/5rbc8y

MERLYNSAM

The Sunday Mirror

6/04/2008

By Simon Wright
Karen Matthews VISITED DAUGHTER IN SUSPECT'S FLAT', says Shannon's aunt


Shannon Matthews's aunt has made an extraordinary claim that the nine-year-old girl was visited by her own MOTHER while she was being held captive.

Amanda Hyett - sister of Shannon's stepdad Craig Meehan - also alleges that Karen Matthews spoke at least twice to her daughter on the phone AND has accused Karen of having an affair with the man suspected of snatching her daughter, Mike Donovan.

She made the wild allegations just 24 hours before being arrested on suspicion of aiding Donovan. Police sources say the claims have been investigated and dismissed. Karen has furiously denied them.

Amanda - Karen's neighbour and close confidante - said: "Karen and Mike have been having an affair for months. Karen had her bags packed the day Shannon went missing.

"She was planning to leave Craig and run off with Mike. Mike was supposed to have picked Shannon up on her way back from school and meet Karen but Karen didn't turn up.

"Karen was always going out and leaving Craig at home with the kids. She told him she was round at her mum's but really she was with Mike."

<continues>

http://tinyurl.com/5jlt7f

MERLYNSAM

The People

6 April 2008

By Bethany Usher

Dumped stepdad 'suicide' jail alert
MUM TELLS HOW SHE DREAMS OF DAY SHANNON WILL COME HOME

The stepdad of Shannon Matthews has been put on suicide watch in jail after being dumped by her mother.

Craig Meehan, 22, was ditched by partner Karen Matthews, 32, after he was arrested last week on suspicion of child porn offences.

Fishmonger Meehan, on remand in Armley prison, Leeds, learned of her decision to end the relationship when he phoned a relative. He is said to be "inconsolable".

A source said: "He has taken things badly. No one is shedding tears for him but the screws aren't taking any chances.

"They are watching him like a hawk to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid." Meehan has been put in isolation on the jail's segregation block for his own protection after becoming a target of hate.

<continues>

http://tinyurl.com/6gk9pk

SMOKIE

merlynsam wrote:The Sunday Mirror

6/04/2008

By Simon Wright

Karen Matthews VISITED DAUGHTER IN SUSPECT'S FLAT', says Shannon's aunt

Shannon Matthews's aunt has made an extraordinary claim that the nine-year-old girl was visited by her own MOTHER while she was being held captive.

Amanda Hyett - sister of Shannon's stepdad Craig Meehan - also alleges that Karen Matthews spoke at least twice to her daughter on the phone AND has accused Karen of having an affair with the man suspected of snatching her daughter, Mike Donovan.

She made the wild allegations just 24 hours before being arrested on suspicion of aiding Donovan. Police sources say the claims have been investigated and dismissed. Karen has furiously denied them.

Amanda - Karen's neighbour and close confidante - said: "Karen and Mike have been having an affair for months. Karen had her bags packed the day Shannon went missing.

"She was planning to leave Craig and run off with Mike. Mike was supposed to have picked Shannon up on her way back from school and meet Karen but Karen didn't turn up.

"Karen was always going out and leaving Craig at home with the kids. She told him she was round at her mum's but really she was with Mike."

<continues>

http://tinyurl.com/5jlt7f

OMG What is going on. Poor Shannon if there will be any truth they will find it from Shannon herself.

KARENJANE

merlynsam wrote:Yes, we heard she was given a kitten the night she was found. I am sure it is all good therapy for her.

Poor Shannon though................still not in a settled environment. I am so glad that the Dad is offering to give her a home.

The Dad may not be the best person to give her a home though. He'd not actually seen Shannon for quite some time. What people offer to do in public and what they carry out in private are often two different things.

Shannon didn't appear to have a regular relationship with her father, why, we don't know. I'm sure the reasons why will be taken into account before any decision is made on who give Shannon a home.

Actions ALWAYS speak louder than words IMO.

And if there's any truth in the story that Karen Matthews visited Shannon at the home of Mike Donovan and was in fact having an affair with Donovan then the social services have REALLY got their work cut out with this family.

And while it's a shame Shannon isn't in a settled home yet I'm sure it's better than what she's been used to so far.[/

PAM SUPPORTFROMIRELAND

Story is getting more bizarre and can't say I'm surprised. Hope the truth emerges properly.

MERLYNSAM

KJ - I absolutely agree with all you say. I just felt it was good for Shannon to know that she could have a home with her Dad - whether it would be the best home, that is for Social Services to decide.

Actually my heart aches for this little girl, (her siblings too - but particularly for Shannon). She has had 24 days of separation (whether she was scared or not we don't yet know) and now is making decisions about her own life - she refused to go back home for Easter, she won't go home to Karen now. Which child doesn't want his/her Mummy? There HAS to be a reason for Shannon choosing the foster-parents and her kitten over her own family.

Thank goodness she is safe.

KARENJANE

merlynsam wrote:KJ - I absolutely agree with all you say. I just felt it was good for Shannon to know that she could have a home with her Dad - whether it would be the best home, that is for Social Services to decide.

Actually my heart aches for this little girl, (her siblings too - but particularly for Shannon). She has had 24 days of separation (whether she was scared or not we don't yet know) and now is making decisions about her own life - she refused to go back home for Easter, she won't go home to Karen now. Which child doesn't want his/her Mummy? There HAS to be a reason for Shannon choosing the foster-parents and her kitten over her own family.

Thank goodness she is safe.

I agree Merly, thank goodness she is safe.

It breaks my heart also to think of the chaotic lives Shannon and her siblings have been living.
One of the greatest things we can give to our children is safety and security, it should be every child's birthright but sadly there are many children living unsettled lives.

Like you say, the fact Shannon has chosen the foster family and kitten over her own family is an indicator something is badly wrong within that family.

TAMSIN

merlynsam wrote:KJ - I absolutely agree with all you say. I just felt it was good for Shannon to know that she could have a home with her Dad - whether it would be the best home, that is for Social Services to decide.

Actually my heart aches for this little girl, (her siblings too - but particularly for Shannon). She has had 24 days of separation (whether she was scared or not we don't yet know) and now is making decisions about her own life - she refused to go back home for Easter, she won't go home to Karen now. Which child doesn't want his/her Mummy? There HAS to be a reason for Shannon choosing the foster-parents and her kitten over her own family.

Thank goodness she is safe.

Lets just hope all the children are now safe, it's a very unusual situation and will take a long time to unravel. I wonder how much CYPS (social care)knew about the case beforehand.

MERLYNSAM

Do you remember when Shannon being in the bed drawer was niggling me (when she was found). I always felt that it just didn't add up.

Pam and Tezza helped me to get my head round what sort drawers they could be - I think the conclusion was that they were sliding panels rather than pull-out drawers. They could be closed from the inside. So, if this is true, why didn't Shannon open the sliding panel when the police came? She knew that her captor was in the drawer next to her.

Was she told it was 'a game'?
Had she seen her mother the day before?
Was Shannon coerced by members of her own family?

Ignore me - this story is just becoming more and more bizarre that I am beginning to believe there must be some truth in some of it!

PAM SUPPORTFROMIRELAND

Merly, believe me for some time I've wanted to write my speculation on this but I may be wrong and I'm sure full truth will come out in the coming weeks. I also think Craig Meehan looks child like, so isn't well IMO.

KARENJANE

The other thing with these latest developments with Shannon's mum and Mick Donovan is that Karen must have known exactly where Shannon was and who she was with for the whole 24 days she was missing.

IF the story is true of course.

MERLYNSAM

I know Pam....thanks for reassuring me (that I am not the only one feeling uncomfortable with this situation).

What worries me now (and I gave it some thought this morning when I walked the dog) is if this story turns out to be a fabrication or something, will it affect the volunteers when the next child goes missing?

I have promised myself that if another child goes missing in drivable distance, I WILL turn out with the dog and help with the search. I WON'T sit and wonder if it is truth or fiction first......

But I have a terrible feeling that some of the people I walked with on Dewsbury Moors when we were searching for Shannon won't think like I do - and I am not blaming them at all.