03/04/2008

Child Porn Charges For Shannon's Stepdad

The stepfather of Shannon Matthews has appeared in court charged with child pornography offences.

Craig Meehan, 22, from Dewsbury Moor, West Yorkshire, was arrested at the family home on Wednesday. He was charged with ten counts of possessing indecent images of children and appeared before Dewsbury Magistrates Court on Thursday.

He was remanded in custody until April 11.

Mr Meehan has been living with Shannon's mother, Karen Matthews, 32, for around five years. Three of Mrs Matthews' children live in the house, including Shannon and the couple's own two-year-old daughter.

According to reports, the images were allegedly found on a computer in the family home.

A spokesperson from West Yorkshire Police said: "In relation to the welfare of the family's children, it is being dealt with by social services. Police policy is we are not commenting on the welfare of the children."

Shannon, nine, disappeared on February 19, following a school trip. She was discovered on March 14, hidden in the base of a bed in a flat in Batley Carr, following a high-profile police investigation.

Mr Meehan's uncle, Michael Donovan, has been charged with Shannon's kidnap and imprisonment.

The 39-year-old, who lived at the flat where Shannon was found, is appeared before Leeds Crown Court via videolink last week.

He has been charged with two charges of taking the nine-year-old against her will and detaining her against her will.

A trial date has been provisionally set for November 11 in Leeds.

It was revealed on Thursday that Mrs Matthews was reuinted with her daughter for the first time since she disappeared on Wednesday.

Mrs Matthews was reportedly allowed a meeting with Shannon, but the girl remains in the care of Kirklees Social Services, while police try to establish what happened to her during her ordeal.

(KMcA/JM)




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05 September 2008
Shannon's Mum Faces Fresh Charges
The mother of Shannon Matthews, the girl who went 'missing' for several weeks earlier this year, has been charged with her kidnap and false imprisonment. These new charges were revealed as Karen Matthews appeared at Leeds Crown Court.
12 November 2008
Shannon Kidnapped In 'Dishonest And Wicked' Plan
Shannon Matthews was drugged and kidnapped as part of a "dishonest and wicked plan" by her mother and the man whose flat she was found in, a court has heard. The nine-year-old schoolgirl's mother Karen Matthews, and Michael Donovan appeared at Leeds Crown Court today in relation to her disappearance in West Yorkshire earlier this year.
02 April 2008
Shannon's Stepfather Arrested In Porn Probe
West Yorkshire police have arrested the stepfather of Shannon Matthews on suspicion of possessing child pornography. Craig Meehan was detained after police carried out searches on a number of computers as part of the investigation into the schoolgirl's disappearance.
14 March 2008
Shannon Found Alive
Missing West Yorkshire schoolgirl Shannon Matthews has been found alive. The nine-year-old was reportedly found concealed in the base of a divan bed in a flat in Lidgate Gardens in Batley Carr. According to reports, police smashed into the flat and rescued Shannon.
12 March 2008
Mother Claims Shannon 'Was Abducted'
The mother of missing West Yorkshire schoolgirl Shannon Matthews has said that she fears that her daughter was abducted by someone she knows. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme, Karen Matthews said that she believed Shannon was abducted after she disappeared last month.