Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Remanded In A Cell Not A Divan Bed


Michael Donovan, 39-year-old from Lidgate Gardens, Dewsbury West Yorkshire, appeared in court today charged with the kidnapping and false imprisonment of Shannon Matthews.

It is alleged he snatched the nine-year-old schoolgirl on February 19 and this morning was remanded in custody at Dewsbury magistrates court and ordered to appear at Leeds crown court on March 25.

Donovan formally known as Paul Drake, was arrested after Shannon was discovered hidden in the drawer of a divan bed after police broke into Donovan's flat on Friday afternoon.

Shannon has been taken into care, while attempt to discover what happened during her 24 days with Donovan. They have said she is being questioned in sessions of up to 15 minutes and her parents have agreed that the care order is the best option for Shannon at this time. Press report that Shannon's mother, Karen Matthews, has still only seen her daughter briefly but Karen Matthews has left her home with the police liaison officers numerous times. Who is to say that she has not been reconciled with her child and kept the affair quiet?

Peter Mann, head of Crown Prosecution Service West and North Yorkshire Complex Case Unit, warned the press, "At this time I would like to remind you of the need to take care in reporting the events surrounding this case. Michael Donovan stands accused of this offence and has the right to a fair trial.
"It is extremely important that there should be responsible media reporting which should not prejudice the due process of law.

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