UK NEWS

SHANNON MATTHEWS' STEPFATHER ARRESTED ON CHILD PORN CHARGES

Shannon Matthews

Wednesday April 2,2008

By Geoff Marsh for express.co.uk

Comment Speech Bubble Have your say(18)

POLICE investigating the disappearance of schoolgirl Shannon Matthews have today arrested her stepfather Craig Meehan.

The 22-year-old was held on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children.

West Yorkshire Police said the suspect, who they did not name, was detained after officers examined a number of computers during the search for the nine-year-old, who went missing for nearly four weeks.

Meehan lives with Shannon’s mother Karen Matthews at Moorside Road in Dewsbury Moor.

Shannon disappeared on her way home from a school swimming trip on February 19.

She was found 24 days later at the house of Meehan’s uncle in Batley Carr, a mile from her home.

Craig Meehan

Michael Donovan, 39, of Lidgate Gardens, Dewsbury, was later charged with Shannon’s kidnapping and imprisonment.

His trial has been provisionally set for November 11 at Leeds Crown Court.

Hundreds of officers and 60 detectives were involved in the three week search for Shannon.

Shannon has not returned home since she was found.

Sources said the indecent images that prompted today’s arrest did not involve any of the Matthews children.

A West Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: “During inquiries by the Shannon Matthews investigation team, the contents of a number of computers have been examined.

“As a result of this work, police have today arrested a 22-year-old man from the Dewsbury Moor area on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children.

“He is currently being questioned at a West Yorkshire Police station.”

Fishmonger Meehan has lived with mother-of-seven Karen Matthews, 32, at Shannon’s home for around five years.

SHANNON

03.04.08, 9:36am

A round of applause for Speedbird. This pair of losers bahaved like the Beckhams, posing for photographs. I wonder if the other children have been forgotten - they have been subjected to the same day to day existence. It's very telling that her parents have nothing to do with her, and also Social Services declared them too old to take Shannon - so leaving her where she was was preferable? The proof of the pudding etc.....

• Posted by: Shell22 • Report Comment

SECOND HAND COMPUTER??

03.04.08, 8:49am

Yes Martha - you are being naive - he's been charged with possessing not down loading child porn so even if it was a second hand computer it was still found on a computer in his possession so he's looking pretty guilty at this time. Though to be fair have you ever seen a family who were a bigger bunch of pikey scum? Thought not! These people think 'Shameless' is a aspirational documentary . When Shannon was (eventually) found people started speculating that the family were involved at some level - maybe thinking of setting up a McCann style fund to raise £1m and then Shannon wld magically re-appear and they wld keep the money - but obviously Forrest Gump and the rest of his pikey friends weren't clever enought to set up a scheme!. I think it speaks volumes that Shannon has elected to stay in the care of the Social Services rather than eturn to her family - she's had a glimpse of the outside world and doesn't want to return - ever!

I agree with all the people who are calling for prospective parents to have to take (and pass) a parenting exam - until that time the 'mother' wld be required to be on some form of reversable contraceptive such as the implant. Families like this shd be removed from benefits and allocated a job (some pikey minimum wage thing such as working in Primark or Mcy D's) - if they 'lose' that job then they lose their council house - simple as that! Time to stop this Liberal bleeting abt 'Human Rights' and start telling chav scum that they won't be tollerated as free loaders any longer and they will have to pull their (considerable) weight in society.

• Posted by: Speedbird • Report Comment

THE STEPFATHER

03.04.08, 12:42am

If thats what he thinks he is,has been charged with 10 offences of child porn he should'nt be allowed any where near kids,its been written across his smarmy mug for weeks..

• Posted by: lily • Report Comment

MAYBE THIS IS NAIVE BUT

02.04.08, 11:18pm

has he actually been charged with any offence yet?

Is it possible that he has a second hand computer?

• Posted by: Martha • Report Comment

STEPFATHER ARRESTED

02.04.08, 10:52pm

I agree and they DONT all come from council estates. I wonder just how many wives are sitting out there thinking that their spouses would never do a thing like that?they come in all shapes and sizes from council and private alkike

• Posted by: charley • Report Comment

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02.04.08, 9:22pm

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