Shannon Matthews day 7: Karen offered home by Donovan

Nov 19 2008 By Andrew Jackson

THE mother of Shannon Matthews told police the man accused of kidnapping her daughter invited her to stay at his house two months before she went missing, a court heard today.

Karen Matthews, 33, told police Michael Donovan offered to let her and her children stay at his house after she had an argument with her partner Craig Meehan at a funeral last December, Leeds Crown Court heard.

Matthews told police she declined the offer as she wanted to sort out her problems with Mr Meehan, the jury was told.

Interviews Matthews gave to the police under caution after Shannon was found but before she was arrested were read out to the jury today by Detective Constable John Lee.

She told police she had an argument with Mr Meehan at his dad’s funeral in December and went to his mother’s house, the court heard.

Matthews said Donovan, Mr Meehan’s uncle, was at the house and made the offer for her to go and stay with him, the jury was told.

Reading out Matthews’ comments to police, Dc Lee said: "He offered me a place to stay with the kids until Craig calmed down."