Shannon Matthews trial Day 11: 'Karen's kidnap rules' claim

Nov 26 2008 By Andrew Jackson

THE man accused of kidnapping Shannon Matthews today denied pushing the young girl into his car.

Giving evidence for a second day, Michael Donovan, 40, of Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, West Yorkshire, told Leeds Crown Court Shannon got into his car saying her mother, Karen Matthews, had told her they were going to the fair.

Donovan and Matthews, 33, both deny kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice in connection with the girl’s disappearance.

In cross-examination, Frances Oldham QC, for Karen Matthews, said: "Yesterday, you told us, Shannon said this: ’Hi Mike, mum said you’re taking me to the fair tonight’.

"You know Shannon Matthews never said that, did she?"

Donovan replied: "Yes, she did."

Ms Oldham continued: "What I suggest happened is you stopped and pushed her into your car."

Donovan said: "No, I didn’t do that."