Shannon Matthews trial Day 8: Bed where Shannon hid - pic

Nov 21 2008 by David Himelfield, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

The bed where Shannon was hidden

THIS is the bed where Shannon Matthews was hidden during her kidnap ordeal, a court was told.

The picture is part of the prosecution evidence in the trial of Michael Donovan, 40, of Batley Carr, and Shannon’s mother, Karen Matthews, 33.

They deny kidnap and false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.

The jury at the trial at Leeds Crown Court was also shown a strap allegedly used to tie up Shannon Matthews.

Forensic scientist Frances Senior presented jurors with a long white, elasticated tether containing knots and a large noose at one end.

The device was found at Donovan’s flat on March 14.

Donovan told yesterday’s hearing that Shannon’s mother had blackmailed him into imprisoning the schoolgirl.