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Accused 'took girl on park trips'
21.11.08
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The man accused of kidnapping Shannon Matthews told police he took the schoolgirl on trips to the park, a court heard.
Michael Donovan told police officers he drove the nine-year-old girl to the supermarket and took her to local parks. He described how she would sit in the back of his car with her pink coat on and hood up, Leeds Crown Court was told. Donovan also took her for a drive in his car "to give her some fresh air", the jury heard.
The court heard the youngster was unaware of the huge police search and media interest as she would watch cartoons on the television. Donovan and Shannon's mother, Karen Matthews, 33, deny kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.
Donovan, 40, told police: "During the time Shannon was with me we stayed mostly in the house, although sometimes I would go out and buy clothes, food, toys, games and DVDs. She said I was kind and generous, not like her parents.
"On about three times I took her to parks in Batley and Birstall and once in the evening again I took her for a ride in the car to give her a break from the house and get some fresh air."
She was also supplied with clothes and toys during her 24-day in Donovan's flat. Donovan made the disclosures in police interviews after Shannon was found by officers in the bottom of a divan bed at his flat in Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, West Yorkshire.
Donovan told officers he was threatened by Matthews who said she would set three "lads" onto him if he did not agree to take Shannon to his flat.
The court heard how Donovan told officers Matthews made the threat when the pair met at a cafe in Dewsbury town centre before Shannon vanished.
During the interviews, he told the officers: "When I saw the news I wanted to take her back home but I was still frightened of Karen's threats to set men on me if I did."
The trial was adjourned until Monday.
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What fith this little girl must have endured at home with a witch of a mother and an uncle who strings you up at his place for hours then wants to take you to the park just to make sure she stays alive ( thank God ) enough to get a few grand to spend on what!!
I hope this poor child finds a secure family to live with so she can grow up to behave like a responsilbe adult...Unlike any of her so called family that could even think up this act of using their own child to play a part while drugging her for weeks on end!
She must have been so frightened with all those nutcases telling her wild stories...........How can she now trust anyone is beyound me!
They all look like a load of caricatures from a Dickens book.........They all look so odd and bemussed as if they thought they could get away with it!
All I can hope is this poor child will never be encouraged to see these nutters again, Ever! They will make her ill just by looking at them!
Another child in desperate need of help......How has she survived all these years without going mad?
Take care Shannon, we are thinking about you and your happiness now you are free.
- Valerie, Middlesex
