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

Nov 26 2008 By Andrew Jackson

Donovan denied that his sister, Alice Meehan, and niece, Amanda Hyett, were involved in the plan to take Shannon.

But he said he did not know if Craig Meehan, his nephew and Matthews’ partner, was involved.

Mrs Oldham said to Donovan: "This plan involving Shannon, involved you, Craig, the Hyetts, and Alice, didn’t it?"

Donovan said: "Not to what I know about Amanda and Alice."

Mrs Oldham said: "But Craig?"

Donovan replied: "I’m not sure about Craig."

Mrs Oldham continued: "You, Mr Donovan, and members of your family made this plan?"

Donovan said: "No."

Mrs Oldham said Donovan was the person controlling the plan.

She said: "Mr Donovan, you knew exactly what you were doing, didn’t you? You were the one in control, you were in control of Shannon?"

Donovan denied the suggestions.

Mrs Oldham told the court that letters and pictures by Shannon had been found in Donovan's flat.

Donovan agreed that the nine-year-old had written a letter to one of his daughters and drawn a picture of Blackpool after he said it was his one of his favourite seaside places.

But he said the schoolgirl had made them of "her own free will" and he had not forced her.

Mrs Oldham also read out a letter written by Shannon.

Reading the letter, she said: "Dear John, when me and my dad go to Blackpool, we’re going to take some pictures of Blackpool seaside and a bus. I love you, I will miss you, so will my dad. Love Shannon and Dad."

Donovan said Shannon was referring to Craig Meehan when she wrote "Dad" and said he did not know who John was.

Yesterday, the court heard that Donovan had taken one of his daughters to Blackpool during a custody dispute with his former wife.

He denied planning to take Shannon to Blackpool.