Shannon Matthews trial Day 3 - Cops followed psychic tip-off

Nov 13 2008 By Andrew Jackson

Karen Matthews did not ask about the welfare of her daughter when police told her she had been found but made a "glib comment" about an officer’s mobile ringtone, a court heard today.

Matthews made no inquiries about her daughter’s welfare as she was driven to a police station after Shannon was found following a 24-day search.

Detective Constable Mark Cruddace told a jury at Leeds Crown Court that he attended Moorside Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, with a colleague to break the news of Shannon’s discovery.

The officer said there was a "buzz of excitement in the house" and he got the impression "people knew before we got there".

Julian Goose QC, prosecuting, asked him if there was "any time when she asked about the welfare of her daughter or where she had been found".

The officer replied: "No, she didn’t."