Shannon Matthew trial Day 4: Neighbour heard child's laughter

Nov 15 2008 by Emma Davison, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A LONER. A strange character. A bit creepy. A fantasist. These are all descriptions used in a court to describe a man accused of kidnapping schoolgirl Shannon Matthews.

And it is a description that met with agreement from Michael Donovan’s niece.

Caroline Meehan, the sister of Karen Matthews’ former lover Craig, told the jury at Leeds Crown Court she agreed with the description of her uncle.

Donovan is on trial with Matthews accused of kidnapping and falsely imprisoning Matthews’ then nine-year-old daughter Shannon. They also deny perverting the course of justice.

Donovan appeared in court yesterday just hours after being attacked in Leeds Prison by another prisoner.

West Yorkshire Police have confirmed they are investigating an incident at the jail.