Shannon Matthews: Karen Matthews ‘Arrested’, Michael Donovan’s Suicide And A Scam
SHANNON Watch: Anorak’s look at the case of Shannon Matthews in the media
THE SUN (front page): “SHANNON SUSPECT SLASHES WRISTS”
Page 5: “There was blood everywhere.. his life was hanging by a thread”
Unconscious Mike Donovan, 39 – who also took a drugs overdose – was saved by quick- thinking prison officers who raced to give first aid as he lay in a pool of blood.
A jail source said grimly: “His life was hanging by a thread. There was blood everywhere. He would have died but for the prompt action of staff.
“It was a deadly serious suicide bid.”
“KIDNAP QUIZ GRAN’S GRIN” – Alice Meehan is the “grinning mum” of Craig Meehan. The policeman behind her is also smiling. But he is not mentioned.
“GIRL’S SNUB STUNS MUM” – Shannon would rather play with her kitten than go home. Karen Matthews is on “suicide watch”
Karen Matthews is in a secret location. Although, the police know where she is:
“Shannon’s mum Karen is nicked” - Karen Matthews, 32, was being held on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.
PA NEWS: A West Yorkshire Police spokesman says: “Police investigating the alleged abduction of a nine-year-old girl have arrested a 32-year-old woman in Dewsbury on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.”
DAILY MIRROR (front page): “SHANNON ACCUSED SLITS HIS WRISTS – Warders foil suicide bid”
Shannon Matthews’ accused kidnapper Michael Donovan has slit his wrists.
What of Shannon’s family?
Fishmonger Craig is accused of possessing 130 indecent images of children on his computer. His mother Alice Meehan and sister Amanda Hyett were both arrested and freed on bail in connection with Shannon’s kidnap.
Alice, 49, Donovan’s sister, was quizzed on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. Amanda, 25, who lives next door to the house Craig shared with Shannon’s mum Karen was questioned on suspicion of assisting an offender. Karen, 32, is mother of six other children.
DAILY EXPRESS (front page): “SHANNON SUSPECT SLASHES WRISTS”
Page 9: “MAN ACCUSED OF SHANNON’S KIDNAP TRIES TO KILL HIMSELF”
Michael Donovan:
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said it was a “serious case of self harm” and that the warders who found him had acted “with great professionalism”.
A jail source said: “His condition is being assessed by a psychiatrist who will try to determine how serious a bid it was to end his life.
“He has apparently tried to claim it was more of a ‘cry for help’. But he will now be viewed as a genuine suicide risk and watched extremely closely.”
And Shannon?
During a three-hour visit on Wednesday – only the second time Karen had seen Shannon since she was found – the mother-of-seven broke down and begged her daughter to come home.
Shannon is said to have replied: “No. I don’t want to come home. I want to go back to my kitten.”
Karen’s mother, June Matthews, who is planning to launch a custody bid for Shannon, said: “During the meeting both Karen and Shannon seemed quite happy but Karen broke down when it was time for Shannon to leave and begged her to come home.
“That must have been devastating for Karen. But it is good news that Shannon is so happy.”
DAILY STAR (front page): “SHANNON SNATCH SUSPECT SLASHES WRISTS”
THE man accused of snatching little Shannon Matthews was rushed to hospital yesterday after trying to kill himself in jail.
Not big Shannon, then?
Detectives are probing claims the youngster’s “abduction” was a family scam to rake in cash after they had seen public donations pour into a fund set up to help find missing Madeleine McCann.
A scam?
Posted: 7th, April 2008 | In: Madeleine McCann, Tabloids Comments (112) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
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April 7th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
106
Bewildered Says:
April 7th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
…………………………………………………….
I have only just read your post and can only say that I agree whole-heartedly with everything you say !! Only thing I would add is that Shannon seems to have more sense than the whole lot of them put together if she can see that being where she is, with what she now has, is infinitely better than what she had, Heaven knows where that would have all ended.
April 7th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
I’m glad to see someone else expressing surprise that that guy is always referred to as Shannon’s “stepfather”.
So, we are told there’s a suspicion the family thought they might make some money out of an apparent abduction. Where ever could they have got that idea from?
April 7th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
I’m glad to see someone else expressing surprise at the way that guy is always referred to as Shannon’s “stepfather”.
Apparently there is a suspicion abroad that the family might have thought they could make some money out of an apparent abduction. Now I wonder what could have given them that idea?
April 7th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
49
coolandcalm Says:
April 7th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Meant to also say……..
On Sky news they said that this is the first time the friends will have been interviewed about the events…. previously they only gave statements that were then translated, thereby causing the confusion?
I hadn’t realised they had never been interviewed/questioned…. am assuming its correct? anyone know?
———————————————————————
It beggars belief if they haven’t already been properly interviewed, doesn’t it? It does perhaps explain why Tanner was at pains to say on Panorama that she’d be only too pleased to be interviewed, here or in Portugal. “I’d go back tomorrow if it would help.” she said.
And what about all the other people who might have relevant information?
Nearly a year on and only now interviewing formally the principal witnesses??!!
The Mcs will apparently be away for part of the time but the police have indicated they don’t want to speak to them at the moment anyway. That is a pre-planned visit to Brussels but will be interpreted by some as “running away”!! (As if they could run away!) On the other hand, if they’d stayed, people would have accused them of wanting to keep in touch with their friends and “control” what was being said, or to glean some idea of what questions they themselves might be asked if the police change their mind and ask to speak to them after all, or simply to seek publicity, never being able to keep themselves out of the limelight!
What do you think, c and c, about the story that they weren’t wearing watches? Bizarre! I assumed it was the same rubbish as we’ve seen so often, made up by some reporter and then transmuted into “gospel”. However, I saw a comment about it a couple of days ago and attributed to Mitchell. Any thoughts? Most odd if true. Even odder if he, or they, made it up because it sounds so unlikely?!
April 7th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
In the long term, this will all be good news for Shannon and her brothers and sisters but, right now, they have had everything they know torn away from them and must be devastated.
April 7th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Hello darlings,
Stevo started this thread on 3A’s. Collection of satire. Enjoy. 6 pages long.
http://the3arguidos.net/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=8150&st=0&sk=t&sd=a
The PJ are here, finally finally finally.
Do you think they are at all nervous?
April 7th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
I can’t believe you are all still discussing Madeleine McCann, after nearly a year. And you all complain about the McCann publicity machine, but give oxygen to it yourselves. For what it’s worth (nothing, really) I would say:
- the poor child is 99% certain to be dead, and has been so from within 24 hours of her
disappearance;
- her parents could be charged with neglect, but there is a strong “there but for the
Grace of God..” aspect to that as many people take chances over the children’s safety,
no matter how sanctimonious you are about it - I wouldn’t have left mine unattended
at night myself, but that’s more to do with children waking and trotting off, than with
possible abductors: and I did let my children have a very free, playing-out upbringing
(now recommended by ‘experts’) rather than wrap them in cotton-wool. I took
chances so that they could learn and be free, no matter what it cost me in worry;
- no ‘Tapas 7 or 9″ could keep up this ‘conspiracy’ for as long as this;
- nothing will come of the PJ visit to Britain;
- Madeleine will never be found;
- there is no conspiracy;
- you will all still be discussing this in a year’s time.
And I would also guess:
- Shannon Matthews’ mother will not be charged in connection with her disappearance;
- she might be charged with protecting the boyfriend, weirdly described as Shannon’s
’stepfather’;
- if it was a money-making scam, then Karen Matthews was not directly involved;
- none of those arrested / involved are remotely clever enough to fool the police;
- the supportive friends from the Dewsbury estate will never get over this;
- if Shannon’s ‘lucky’ enough, she will live an entirely different life and maybe get a
different sort of education and job;
- the kitten only goes to show how important it is to have something to love.
April 7th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Hi Cheryl,
It has taken on a life of its own.
Similar to the media telling you that ‘everybody is talking about X’, where X is a TV show. X may well be complete rubbish, but it gets hyped out of all proportion, and people feel that they’re missing out if they don’t watch it. Viewing rating soar, so ergo…it must be good!
I take a passing interest in the MM case, and also in the SM case, which is much nearer to home (geographically…) for me. But it is only a passing interest, as there are plenty more news stories about that carry more weight, and are of a greater importance to me.
April 7th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
54
coolandcalm Says:
April 7th, 2008 at 10:09 am
_________
Good morning! One does wonder why everyone focuses back on the McCann case? Remember in school the teacher would give a word and tell the students to form a sentence using it? Maybe one could sort out ‘why’ the old school teacher way. Obsession. Revenge. Blood thirsty. Self-righteous. Superiority. Condemnation. Compassion. Guilt. Pity. Inferior. Jealous. Pettiness. Consumed. Self-image. Hateful.
April 7th, 2008 at 11:39 am
noseycow- like your taste in footie teams but your taste in men
He might be alright with a bag on his head, better make it two bags incase the first one falls off
Gloria
get well soon 
April 7th, 2008 at 11:33 am
take care Gloria - hope you feel better soon
April 7th, 2008 at 11:29 am
I think I’ll have to give in and try to kip.
‘Night’, nurse.
April 7th, 2008 at 11:24 am
Ahh bless
Alternate paracetamol and ibruprofen every three hours - with lots of hot lemon & honey. Also echinacea & vitamin c.
Alternatively 4 or 5 brandy / babyshams will kill all known germs dead ( or you won’t care any more).
April 7th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Someone has been sandpapering my windpipe and shoving putty up my nose.
April 7th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Gloria YES PLEASE
April 7th, 2008 at 11:13 am
noseycow!
“Young MAN!”
April 7th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Gloria - this should make you feel better
http://www.anorak.co.uk/tabloids/182683.html
April 7th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Morning simon - see you didn’t make it to the finishing line..
April 7th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Gloria - oh luvvy - need a nurse?
April 7th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Now I’ve got a hurty knee too …. and I want soup … and to watch CBeebies ..
April 7th, 2008 at 11:00 am
69 DCB
We all thought that Shannon’s mum looked really distressed and acted how Kate should have done.
Not me, sorry. I would hate people in tragic circumstances to feel that they had to give the ‘right’ performance to the public and accept that people may have different defense and coping mechanisms which could include dressing nicely. I wasn’t sure about the highlights though - bit too many of them!
April 7th, 2008 at 10:58 am
SC46 89- Man flu definition
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=man+flu
April 7th, 2008 at 10:56 am
This one Gloria, pmsl
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6EElqrgk4N0
April 7th, 2008 at 10:55 am
It is well known that Man Flu is a very debilitating illness.
April 7th, 2008 at 10:52 am
matty
there’s a brilliant YouTube clip about man flu. Phlegm-rattlingly funny. I can’t post links though, especially when I’m virtually at death’s door.
April 7th, 2008 at 10:49 am
72 Matty - Apparently strong winds int he Norht Sea blowing in the direction of Panama. In 10 years I will be saying ‘told you so’!
April 7th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Gloria 81- if you have contracted that heinous disease, man flu, you must dial 999 and wait for the paramedics. Mr Matty once had it and I got the priest in to give him the last rites
April 7th, 2008 at 10:48 am
I used to think this was a simple case compared to the ‘other one’…
April 7th, 2008 at 10:47 am
72 matty
Canoe man Amazing that relatively small amounts of money can motivate. Expect more post-credit crunch.
April 7th, 2008 at 10:46 am
49 brandon flours
A thought, what a thought! The McCanns have pulled if off, the others didn’t! (IMO)
April 7th, 2008 at 10:45 am
No but I think I might need to get a young man in to help with the grieving process
Give poor Mr Nosey a break, I would think I’d died n gone to heaven if Mr Matty made a decent cooked breakfast