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.

Donovan Charged

39 year old Michael Donovan has tonight been charged with the kidnap and false imprisonment of nine Shannon Matthews. He will appear in court tomorrow morning (Tuesday)

CPS announcement here:
http://video.news.sky.com/skynews/video/&videoSourceID=1309653&flashURL=/feeds/skynews/latest/flash/shannon_cps_tubb_170308_2230.flv

Detectives Paul Kettlewell and Nick Townsend, the two police officers who spearheaded the rescue of Shannon Matthews have been singled out for praise by West Yorkshire chief constable Sir Norman Bettison.

He went on to defend the professionalism of his force and dismissed those quoted in the press as claiming to have given police vital pieces of the jigsaw days in advance of Shannon's rescue as "fantasists".

One thing I think we all realise now is that Shannon is unlikely to return home for some days; today Sir Norman, talked about the specialist officers who were continuing to build up a picture of her 24 days with Donovan.

Sir Norman said his officers have interviewed 6,000 people and searched 3,000 houses over the past three weeks and said he was amazed to have to defend his force publicly against criticism over its speed in recovering her.
He said: "It's been painstaking methodical work following up 2,000 calls, some with just a hook about a weirdo or paedophile or in a general area." He said some officers had been working on the investigation since 7.30pm on February 19 and had not had a day off since.

With respect to the police I bet for one genuine call there was probably 100 crank or misleading calls. Me guessing no figures to work from! Shannon is safe. She may not be home but I hope that this happens soon. She belongs with her parents - (note her brother lives with her dad and Shannon's unhappiness is genuine, her parents now need to look at her best interests. Social services need to step back and let them be a family - with support.

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

Police Given More Time and Yet More Info

Police have been granted more time to question a man over the alleged abduction of nine-year-old Shannon Matthews. So says the Sunday Metro.

Michael Donovan, formerly known as Paul Drake, will continue to be interviewed over the schoolgirl's 24-day disappearance. Shannon was discovered in the base of a divan bed at the 39-year-old's flat in the Batley Carr area of Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, on Friday.

On Saturday night Donovan, the uncle of Shannon's stepfather Craig Meehan, appeared before magistrates who granted detectives the warrant of further detention.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said specially-trained officers would continue to speak to Shannon as part of the investigation. Shannon has been made the subject of an emergency police protection order, which will be in place "as long as is necessary", police said.

The schoolgirl's mother Karen Matthews, 32, and her partner Mr Meehan, 22, arrived back at their home in Moorside Road, Dewsbury, on Saturday night and were met by cheering friends and family at their door.

The Reverend Kathy Robertson, of the Dewsbury Team Parish, said the pair were looking forward to having their daughter back home.
"They are really good and really relieved that Shannon has been found alive and well," she said after visiting their home. "They are looking forward to having her in their own home."
The Reverend said the atmosphere in the house was one of "anticipation", adding: "Anyone in that situation would just want to take their child in their arms again."

Also just discovered Michael Donovan, the abductor formerly known as Paul Drake, was taken to hospital for a precautionary check-up before being taken into police custody? His "I'm ill, please don't hurt me" cries were checked out and he was found to be not wanting.

Meanwhile, the future of the Shannon will be discussed by social services bosses later this week. She has been made the subject of an emergency protection order and is likely to be placed on the Child Protection Register for at least two years so says The Times website

A neighbour who had spoken to Shannon's mother has confirmed that she said that she had not been allowed to cuddle or communicate with her daughter but had been called in by police to identify her. She had seen Shannon through a two-way mirror and the girl was not aware her mother was there.

Karen Matthews said: “When I first saw Shannon again I was overwhelmed – I just couldn’t stop crying, knowing she’s back where she belongs and she’s safe.
“I never gave up hope and now she’ll be able to come home and sleep in her room again. We’ve got her new pink bedding which she’ll love.” However, social workers may now decide to place her away from what is considered such a 'dysfunctional family'.

Female officers, a child psychologist and a social worker, will spend time gently talking to Shannon in an interview suite designed to look like a classroom. Everything will be taped/videod to spare her from further trauma or having to give evidence in court at a later date. Much of 'video' is to be viewed while she is being interviewed through a two way mirror by police officers to gain a timeline and find out where she was kept and how long she was at the flat.

Paul Drake, 39, changed his name by deed poll to Michael Donovan, and it is believed he dressed Shannon in the clothes of his own daughters. Neighbours said that Shannon looked “well dressed and cared for” when she was carried out by a detective and laughter was heard from generating from the flat.

The Times reports that Drake had lived in the flat for four years and had become withdrawn, "scruffy" and "weird" after his wife Susan was granted sole custody of their two girls, A, 12, and B, 10. His sister Alice Meehan, 49, claimed that he had abducted a child before – his own daughter.
"We think he’s done this because he lost his own children three years ago after a bitter split from his wife . . . He had custody of the kids but was eventually deemed unfit because he was not looking after them properly. He now no longer sees his daughters. This killed him."
She also told how Drake was arrested in 2004 when, affected by his children being taken away, he took his older daughter 'A' out of school when she was nine and off to Blackpool.
"The police tracked him down at a hotel and brought him back. He spent the night in a cell and was then told he should never make contact with his children," his sister said.
"As far as I’m aware there was never any criminal conviction. I’m sure there’s no way he would have hurt her. He only took Shannon because he was missing his kids".

The family say they never understood why Drake, who claimed disability allowance for mental issues, changed his name as he would not reveal why. His sister added: "Our dad kept asking him until his dying day, last November, but he would never say why. Dad always called him Paul."

Caroline Meehan, the sister of Karen Matthews’s boyfriend, said: "When they said the address on the television where Shannon had been found, we just knew it was him.
"He hadn’t been in touch for the whole time that Shannon’s been missing and even though he keeps himself to himself it seemed strange. We know he was on the list for the police to go and see."

Stephen Bold, 38, who had an on-off relationship with Drake’s former wife, said he used to look after 'A' when she was a baby. He said: "wasn’t that bothered about his own kids and didn’t seem to want them. I offered to take 'A' because I love kids."

Yesterday a police forensic team removed a computer and other items from the flat. Drake had still not been formally interviewed by detectives yesterday afternoon. Police sources said his mental state was being “assessed”. He spent Friday night in hospital.

West Yorkshire Police Statement today on the Yorkshire and Humber MEP's complaint that Shannon should had been found earlier:

Following comments by an MEP Edward McMcMillan-Scott currently circulating in the media, that West Yorkshire Police could have quickly found Shannon Matthews through use of an Amber Alert Scheme we would like to make it clear that UK Police Forces currently have available the Child Rescue Alert Scheme.
This is designed for use in potential child abductions where a vehicle or partial vehicle details are known. As such its use would have been wholly inappropriate in this case and the suggestion it could have somehow speeded up Shannons recovery is totally inaccurate.

Photo with thanks to the BBC

Information and interviews taken from The Times ,The Metro and West Yorkshire Police Website.

Lisa Hoodless and Charlene Lunnon, The Girls Who Survived A Kidnapper

I watched in horror ten years ago when the story broke of two little girls who had gone missing after not turning up for school.

Back then, I was not living that many miles from Alan Hopkinson, (See the photo here taken when he was arrested), the paedophile who by chance saw the girls walking to school that morning. The story was on the local news, in the local papers and obviously sensationally all over the national news when the two girls, Lisa hoodless and Charlene Lunnon, were found in his flat four days later.

Ten years ago, I was the mother of two young children and I did not want to think about what the little girls had been subjected to at the hands of that convicted paedophile and was horrified as to how the girl's schools did not contact their parents sooner. I think we all felt the same and knew changes had to be made.

Here's the photos of Lisa Hoodless and Charlene Lunnon that were shown across the country after Alan Hopkinson kidnapped them and took them to his grundgy flat.

Thankfully school procedures have changed but the kidnapping of Shannon and the highlighting of how many paedophiles were living in just that small locality where Shannon lived, is frightening. This could happen again yet we do not want to live in fear or pass that fear onto our children? After all it is only a small percentage of children who are kidnapped by perverts, are children are more at risk from those in their own families!

This morning, Shannon Matthews is described as "on the road to recovery" today, she is "bubbly and relaxed" and has been playing with a kitten........Who knows what is going on inside of her head?

Only two weeks ago, Lisa Hoodless and Charlene Lunnon were interviewed on television about the horrific four days they spent with Alan Hopkinson. Their lives were visited by the press and overpowered I would imagine and then what? Did they really get the support that they needed?
The Sun has printed an interview with the now 19 year olds today but I have put a link with a more in depth interview from The Times. There is a lot of information here and some you may not want to read; be warned.


http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/article3438929.ece


Hogkinson pleaded guilty in court and was given nine life sentences. I could now print a cliche with how Lisa and Charlene never will get over what happened to them but that is the truth; they never will. They cope and they feel guilty. Their friendship was torn apart.

They are wonderful, beautiful, young women.