Shannon Matthews trial Day 10: Donovan scared of Karen

Nov 25 2008 By Andrew Jackson

Donovan told the court that, on February 19, he waited about 10 or 15

minutes before Shannon approached his car.

He said: "I told Karen to bring Shannon down but she didn't. Shannon

came down by herself, on her own."

He told the jury the little girl said to him: "My mum told me you were

taking me to the fair tonight."

Donovan said: "It was right foggy and awful that night. I don't know

exactly why she said that."

He went on: "I drove around Dewsbury and the fog was getting really

down."

He said he told Shannon they could not go to the fair because of the

fog.

Donovan told the jury: "I told her that we'll have to go back to my flat

now."

He told the court Shannon then said: "My mum said I'll be stopping at

your flat."

He told the jury he was surprised the youngster had nothing with her

except the clothes she was wearing.

Mr Conrad asked him what contact he had with Matthews during the 24 days

Shannon was at his flat.

He said his co-accused was supposed to ring at 10.00pm on the 19th but

she did not.

Donovan said she rang the following day, apparently on his sister Alice

Meehan's phone.

Donovan told the jury: "She told me 'Is everything all right? Is she

settled down?'

"I told her 'Yes'."

Donovan said he asked Matthews why Shannon had no clothes or toys.

"She told me 'You've got money - go and buy them'."

Donovan went on: "I asked if she wanted to speak to Shannon and she said

'No, I've got to keep it short, stick to the plan, Mike'."

He said he then saw on the news that Shannon had been reported missing.

He said this was about two days later.

"I was really shocked and thought 'She's really gone through with it'."

Asked what he thought he should do next, he said: "I was too terrified."