Meehan arrested in Shannon probe

12 April 2012

The ex-partner of Shannon Matthews' mother was arrested in connection with the alleged abduction of the nine-year-old, police said.

Craig Meehan, 22, of Moorside Road, Dewsbury Moor, was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. He was later bailed pending further inquiries, West Yorkshire Police said.

A force spokesman also confirmed Meehan's former partner Karen Matthews and his uncle Michael Donovan were also interviewed again by police investigating the disappearance of Shannon in February.

Donovan, 39, of Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, was charged with Shannon's kidnap and imprisonment in March.

He will go on trial at Leeds Crown Court on November 11 alongside Matthews, 32, who is charged with child neglect and perverting the course of justice.

The spokesman said: "A 22-year-old man was arrested for perverting the course of justice and has been bailed to a later date.

"The other 39-year-old man and 32-year-old woman were produced by the Prison Service and formally interviewed."

This is the first time Meehan has been arrested in connection with Shannon's disappearance.

Shannon went missing on February 19 and was discovered hidden in the base of a bed in a flat just one mile from her home after a 24-day search by police.

Other members of Meehan's family have also been arrested by officers investigating Shannon's disappearance and released on bail pending further inquiries.

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