Karen Matthews is “over the moon” her co-conspirator Mick Donovan is dead.
The 47-year-old became notorious in 2008 when her daughter Shannon was kidnapped. It was revealed that Donovan, 54, had kept the schoolgirl in his council flat for 24 days as part of a plot hatched by her mother. He died from throat cancer earlier this week.
Today Matthews emerged from her flat in a long beige puffer coat and with her face hidden behind a pink scarf, and shouted 'I'm innocent, leave me alone.' She stared intensely ahead as she rushed away with her hands in her pockets.
Speaking on behalf of Matthews, her convicted sex offender boyfriend Paul Saunders, said: “She's over the moon that Donovan is dead. It's the best news she's had in ages. Karen hopes that he rots in hell, we both do. Donovan is scum, we hope that he had a painful death."
Karen's boyfriend Paul Saunders (TIM ANDERSON)
Karen was heard shouting "I'm innocent, leave me alone" (TIM ANDERSON)He added: “She was told about it in a phone call and she screamed with happiness. She was punching the air because this man deserved to die. Good riddance to him.”
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Despite Matthews' conviction, Saunders insisted: “She's innocent. It was Donovan who did the crime and kidnapped Shannon. She had nothing to do with it. People have got this all wrong.” He added: “Karen has been unfairly portrayed as Britain's worst mother. But it's total lies. Donovan is the only criminal here.”
Mick Donovan, 54, held terrified Shannon captive in his rundown council flat for 24 days while hundreds of police officers along with locals searched for her after she disappeared in Dewsbury in 2008. The warped kidnapper insisted he was only "looking after" the terrified schoolgirl but he had in fact plotted, along with her twisted mother, Karen Matthews, to claim a staggering £50,000 reward for her safe return.
Shannon's neighbours in Dewsbury went into a frenzy trying to find her after she was reported missing, while her disappearance sparked one of the UK's biggest manhunts, costing West Yorkshire Police £3.2million. Shannon disappeared on her way home from a swimming lesson at Westmoor Primary School, Dewsbury. She was later discovered hidden under Donovan's bed in Batley Carr. Donovan and Karen Matthews were jailed for eight years in 2009. He was found guilty of kidnapping, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice for his role in the stunt.
Saunders and Matthews live together in the south of England and are believed to have been together for around five years.
Saunders was jailed for five years at Oxford Crown Court in 2010 for sexual activity with a child and sexual assault. He must sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.
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