FRI AM: Shannon Matthews' mum - kidnap and false imprisonment charges

Sep 5 2008 by Neil Atkinson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

THE mother of schoolgirl Shannon Matthews, who went missing for 24 days earlier this year, has been charged with kidnap and false imprisonment, a court heard today.

Karen Matthews, 32, had previously been accused of perverting the course of justice and child neglect.

The extra charges were revealed today during a plea hearing at Leeds Crown Court.

Matthews appeared in court along with Michael Donovan, 39, who was already charged with nine-year-old Shannon’s kidnap and false imprisonment.