11/04/2008

Shannon's Stepfather In The Dock

Shannon Matthew's stepfather has appeared in Dewsbury Magistrates Court today charged with possessing indecent images of children.

Craig Meehan, 22, is accused of 11 specimen offences of child pornography.

It is alleged that Mr Meehan, of Moorside Road, Dewbury, was in possession of 140 indecent images of children graded at levels one to four.

Mr Meehan was arrested on 2 April in connection with the disappearance of nine-year-old Shannon.

He has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance on Friday 18 April.

The schoolgirl went missing February 19, following a school swimming trip. She was discovered on March 14, hidden in the base of a bed in Michael Donovan's flat in Batley Carr.

A provisional date of November 11 has been set for Mr Donovan's trial.

A further three arrests were made yesterday in connection to the Shannon Matthew case.

Alice Meehan, 49, and her daughters, Amanda Hyett, 25, and Caroline Meehan, 29, were arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice, they have subsequently been bailed.

Both Alice Meehan, who is the mother of Mr Meehan and her daughter Mrs Hyett were also arrested last week.

Mr Meehan, who is Karen Matthew's partner, is father to one of her seven children.

The home that he shared with Ms Matthews has now been boarded up by Kirklees Council.

Shannon's mother Ms Matthews, 32, was remanded in custody on Wednesday on charges of neglect and perverting the course of justice.

(DS/JM)

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10 April 2008
Further Arrests In Shannon Case
A further three arrests have been made today as police probe deeper into the Shannon Matthew's case. Alice Meehan, 49, and her two daughters, Amanda Hyett, 25, and Caroline Meehan, 29, have all been arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.
07 April 2008
Shannon's Mother Arrested
The mother of Shannon Matthews has been arrested as police continue to investigate the schoolgirl's alleged abduction. Karen Matthews, 32, from Dewsbury Moor in West Yorkshire was arrested on Sunday night on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.
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.
04 April 2008
Two Women Arrested In Shannon Matthews Case
Police have arrested two members of Shannon Matthew's family as the investigation into the alleged abduction of West Yorkshire schoolgirl continues.
03 April 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.