18/04/2008

Meehan Pleads Not Guilty To Possessing Child Porn

The former partner of Shannon Matthews' mother has pleaded not guilty to possessing indecent images of children.

Craig Meehan, 22, of Moorside Road, Dewsbury Moor, was accused of possessing 140 indecent images of children. They were allegedly found on two computers at his home address.

He appeared this morning at Dewsbury magistrates facing 11 counts of possessing child pornography.

Officers arrested Mr Meehan - who lived in the Moorside Road home with Karen Matthews - during an investigation into the disappearance of Karen’s nine-year-old daughter Shannon.

The 22-year-old fishmonger's application for bail was turned down over concerns for his safety. He will stand trial before magistrates on 14 May.

Shannon Matthews 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.

Meehan's uncle, Michel Donovan, 39, from Lidgate gardens in Batley Carr has been charged with her kidnap and imprisonment.

He is due to appear in court on November 11, alongside Ms Matthews who is facing charges of perverting the course of justice and child neglect.

It is understood that the perverting the course of justice charge alleges that she "repeatedly concealed information" regarding her daughter's whereabouts when dealing with police officers.

(JM/KMcA)

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08 September 2008
Craig Meehan Accused Of Possessing Child Porn
The former partner of Shannon Matthews has appeared in court today accused of possessing more than 100 indecent images of children. Police found the 134 images on a computer at the home 22-year-old Craig Meehan shared with Karen Matthews, during their search for missing Shannon Matthews.
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.
16 September 2008
Meehan Found Guilty Of Child Porn Possession
Craig Meehan, the former partner of Shannon Matthews' mother has been found guilty of possessing child pornography. Twenty-two-year-old Craig Meehan - who had denied charges of possessing indecent images of children - was convicted today at Dewsbury Magistrates' Court.
16 April 2008
Shannon's Mother To Stand Trial Over Her Abduction
The mother of Shannon Matthews is to stand trial in November in relation to the alleged abduction of the schoolgirl. Karen Matthews, 32, of Dewsbury in Yorkshire, appeared at Leeds Crown Court via videolink on Wednesday.
09 April 2008
Shannon's Mother Remanded In Custody
Karen Matthews has been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged in connection with her daughter Shannon's disappearance. The 32-year-old, from Moorside Road, Dewsbury Moor, West Yorkshire, appeared before Dewsbury Magistrates' Court charged with child neglect and perverting the course of justice.