Showing posts with label Karen Matthews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Karen Matthews. Show all posts

Monday, March 17, 2008

Newspaper Reviews



" 'Kidnapper' was a pervert, claims ex-wife" Declares the News of the World

"CRAZED kidnap suspect Mick Donovan threatened to KILL his own two daughters – after barricading himself inside his house with them." Claims another headline this morning

"Shannon Matthews' kidnap suspect sexually abused two boys," another story continues.

Michael Donovan apparently visited Amanda Hyatt, 25, the neighbour and younger sister of Karen Matthews 'regularly' (or up to four times a week - it depends on which newspaper you read as to how often he visited?) Since Shannon disappeared, so did he? Why didn't the family notice this significance if now they claim he is such an oddball? Maybe he's not such an oddball after all?

Another story in the news from Donovan's ex wife Susan Bird"He was addicted to opiates and when he was high he wanted sex all the time. But when he was off them, he used to have black moods." She also claimed he liked women to dress up as schoolgirls.

Believe of that what you will. Remember it was Michael Donovan/Paul Drake as he was back then who was given custody of their daughters and not her so what sort of woman is she? Pot, kettle and black springs to mind when you read statement from Eleven-year-old Shanice, who was friends with Donovan's daughters, said: "They were always very quiet and did not talk about what went on at home. One of them said their mum was in prison, and the other said she was dead."

Social services in this case sound as though they were in the right position to take the girls away from BOTH parents from all the snippets I have read. Somewhere in everything the truth must be found?

Sue Bird is now 37 and living in Cornwall. For her full 'sensational' (groan) interview see The News Of The World. Sue went on to have four more children with two further partners, none of her children live with her. Both of the girls she had with Donovan are now in care, the other children live with their fathers. Sounds like the media have stepped into a Jeremy Kyle show except this is not funny.

Mick Donovan, a friendless, reclusive oddball used to visit his local corner shop for his lager and his social trip out was to the bingo hall. It would appear he has never held down a job and claims disability for depression. One newspaper says he had a brain tumour which left him with a pronounced limp and a slightly paralysed arm. No confirmation of this. He is the youngest of nine children, all of his siblings live within 2 miles of him.

Did Donovan abuse the two young boys who are now both adults? I will not comment on this because should Mr Donovan be charged with the kidnap of Shannon, any previous cases have to be kept quiet - But this sounds like no charges were ever brought? Why? Fear? Not true? Cashing in? Sorry, if I am hurting anyone here but it will happen when newspapers are paying BIG money.

Sue Bird claims she contacted the police to warn them about her ex husband, Lidgate Garden residents claim they contacted the police too. So why did it take so long for Shannon to be rescued?

Today police said they had never received Donovan's name? They would have acted "in an instant" on any firm information about her whereabouts. Chief Superintendent Barry South said: "Let me put on notice that had we known at any time the whereabouts of Shannon, we would have been there within seconds."These people are now coming out of the woodwork." Why would they lie? Again is it the money, confusion, too much information to get through or too much paperwork?

Melvin Glew 62, contacted the police 11 days ago - or rather he contacted the MISSING PERSONS charity who handled the poster campaign. Granddad Glew, cannot confirm the date or or time when he called but said there was a recorded message.

Other residents may have called the police but did they give a name? I can imagine thousands of calls were made and linking two and two to make four would have been impossible. If the 'family' did not notice that Donovan had gone off the radar then how did they expect complete strangers in the police force?

For those who are left wondering why Donovan changed his name, I still do not have a clue? What has been reported on some websites is that he chose the surname because of his favourite cheesy popstar Jason Donovan. Maybe he wanted a new life? Maybe the tumour story is true and his personality was affected causing changes in judgement.....and changes in name? I am working on this one.

Up until Friday, most people looked at Mick Donovan's nephew Craig, Shannon's stepfather, and questioned his motives? Was he the guilty one? Is it his fault? What has he done? Has he hurt his stepdaughter? Karen Matthew's parents have made no secret that they despise Craig Meehan and there is an article in the Mail today to confirm their feelings.

This whole story looks like a sad indictment of what some parts of society are like nowadays. Donovan's ex wife's six children all scattered, Shannon's brothers and sisters in different homes and now she herself is in a 'home'. Her grandparents instead of slagging off their own daughter should be supporting her and showing her how to be a GOOD parent. Maybe if Karen Matthews had more confidence, she would not have had seven children with six fathers? Karen Matthews would be happier within herself and any wastrels would go by the wayside. Shannon and any brothers or sisters would in turn feel that confidence from their mother and home life would be a much calmer, joyful place. That said I am being incredibly judgemental and I bet there are times when happiness comes easily. I just think if Karen's parents were better parents themselves, Shannon would benefit more than from them bitching. End of Wiglet sermon.


Police are saying that they believe Donovan acted alone. They have now been granted up to 24 hours further questioning time which leaves them till Tuesday morning to charge or release Donovan.

Does this now mean that police do not believe that this is NOT a money making hoax?
A money-making scam theory was backed up by former top cop John Stalker who told The People newspaper: "The arrest of a family member throws up difficult questions.
Distasteful as it will be, police must seriously examine whether connivance in a manufactured disappearance of Shannon may be a feature."

"The Madeleine McCann case and the massive funds it raised will not have gone unnoticed by less scrupulous people."

"Police are now beginning to build up a picture that this was perhaps more sinister than anyone had realised. Had police not acted when they did, the situation could have become very grave indeed." Said a source for Sky news

Shannon has been made the subject of an emergency police protection order, which will be in place "as long as is necessary", a police spokesman said.

Curiouser and curiouser?

Photos thanks to a variety of sources
Photo 1 Sun headline the day Shannon was found
Photo 2 Sue Bird, Donovan's ex wife
Photo 3 Karen Matthew's parents June and Gordon.
Photo 4 Karen Matthews
Photo 5 John Stalker ex Deputy Chief of Greater Manchester Police

Live Updates 24 Hours Of More Questions

Monday 17 March 2008

LIVE UPDATES
Watch this space for further updates.

BREAKING NEWS 10.20pm 39 year old Michaeal Donovan has been charged with the kidnap and false imprisonment of nine year old Shannon Matthews

3.09pm Chief Constable Sir Norman Bettison tells the media: "Shannon is safe and well away from the flashing lens and glare of publicity. She is in safe and caring hands. She is in the hands of people who can be trusted to do everything needed for her welfare and where we can speak to her over the days that follow."He added: "We're looking for information and evidence we might be able to find from here."He confirmed they have spoken to Shannon in 10-15 minute sessions at a time.

3.06pm The jigsaw pieces came together on Thursday evening, says West Yorkshire's Chief Constable Sir Norman Bettison, dismissing people who claimed police had the information early in the investigation as "fantasists." Think those fantasists will now be selling their stories to the SUN!

3.02pm Chief Constable Sir Norman Bettison says 3,000 houses searched and 6,000 people interviewed during the investigation into Shannon Matthews' disappearance.

2.35pm Sometime within the last hour, Shannon's 32 year old mother Karen and police liaison officers went off in an unmarked police car.
No information has been given and she could have gone shopping again! However, sources are saying Karen may be heading for a secret location and a long awaited reunion with her daughter Shannon. Keep checking in for updates, I'll keep checking the websites and news channels.

11.56am Police have been granted permission to keep questioning Mr Donovan at Halifax police station. It is speculated that 24 hours has been given.

11.38 am Mr Donovan was moved to Calderdale Magistrates Court where police asked for an extension this morning. He seen in the photo from SKY NEWS handcuffed to two police officers, hiding under a black jacket. He was wearing a dark blue sweater and grey trousers/joggers. One police officer was wearing a firearm.


11.30am Amanda Wyatt, who lives next door to her sister of Karen Matthews, has been taken off in an unmarked police car. She made claims in tabloids that Donovan visited her up to four times a week since her father died last November but had not seen him since Shannon disappeared.

10.22am So where have they been? ASDA! Mrs Matthews and Mr Meehan returned with their police liaison officers who helped them carry in their 'several' shopping bags.

8.53am Karen Matthews, boyfriend Craig and Shannon's sister Courtney are driven off by police from their Moorside Road home. None have been arrested.



Reports are also saying that Shannon may not have known she was abducted and that if the police did not act when they did the situation could have turned into a "grave" one. Police also state that NO tip offs were given about 26 Lidgate Gardens and they were working on the address as a matter of routine enquiries.

Karen STILL has not been allowed to hug her daughter since she was found. Yorkshire Evening Post interview has an interview with her. But in brief, there was a short meeting with Shannon at an unconfirmed location after she was rescued on Friday - However, there was no physical contact or verbal communication between the two.
The pair were kept apart by a plastic or glass screen, possibly to prevent any contamination of forensic evidence.

Shannon, is still subject of an emergency police protection order within hours of her dramatic rescue from a flat in Batley Carr. Shannon's, says she accepts it may be some time before her daughter can return home, a situation she "fully understands".

Speaking exclusively to the Yorkshire Evening Post, the 32-year-old mum-of-seven, said: "I know the police have got to do what they have got to do. "But I can't wait to have my daughter back." Ms Matthews has also praised West Yorkshire Police's handling of the search for Shannon - despite mounting criticism of the time it took them to track her down. Karen, Craig and Shannon's younger sister Cy, two, left their home this morning in an unmarked police car.

Last night Chief Supt Barry South, the force's divisional commander for Kirklees, denied claims that tip-offs from the public had been ignored. Shannon's disappearance on February 19 triggered the biggest police operation in the county since the hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper. Specialist officers spent the weekend gently interviewing her as they tried to piece together exactly what happened during the 24 days she was missing.

The police are also waiting for the results of medical tests on Shannon as well as forensic checks on her clothing.

Detectives were granted more time on Saturday to question Michael Donovan, 39, on suspicion of abduction. He is currently being held at Halifax police station.



Donovan, also known as Paul Drake, is the uncle of Shannon's stepfather, 22-year-old Craig Meehan. Photo is of Drake and a very young Meehan. No recent photos available but Donovan now looks a more like a tramp after suffering a brain tumour which left him with a limp. "He had 'orrible eyes which made him look pervy too"



Isn't it lovely how people come out of the woodwork after something like this happens with their 'turn of phrases!'

Thanks to Yorkshire Evening News
Sky News http://news.sky.com/skynews/livenewsevents