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Shannon accused 'is a bit creepy' Shannon accused 'is a bit creepy'
(10 minutes later)
The niece of the man accused of kidnapping Shannon Matthews said her uncle was a fantasist and a "bit creepy", Leeds Crown Court has heard.The niece of the man accused of kidnapping Shannon Matthews said her uncle was a fantasist and a "bit creepy", Leeds Crown Court has heard.
Caroline Meehan was giving evidence at the trial of Michael Donovan and Karen Matthews, who deny several charges over the nine-year-old's disappearance.Caroline Meehan was giving evidence at the trial of Michael Donovan and Karen Matthews, who deny several charges over the nine-year-old's disappearance.
Ms Meehan told the court she saw little of her uncle in the 24 days when Shannon was missing in West Yorkshire.Ms Meehan told the court she saw little of her uncle in the 24 days when Shannon was missing in West Yorkshire.
She told the jury in the weeks before, her uncle would visit her house daily.She told the jury in the weeks before, her uncle would visit her house daily.
Ms Matthews, 33, Shannon's mother, and Mr Donovan, 39, deny kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.Ms Matthews, 33, Shannon's mother, and Mr Donovan, 39, deny kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.
Ms Meehan was asked by Frances Oldham, QC for Ms Matthews, if she agreed with the description that her uncle was "a loner, a strange character, a bit creepy and a fantasist".Ms Meehan was asked by Frances Oldham, QC for Ms Matthews, if she agreed with the description that her uncle was "a loner, a strange character, a bit creepy and a fantasist".
She replied: "Yes".She replied: "Yes".
Before Shannon's disappearance, Ms Meehan said her uncle would visit to help her mother Alice Meehan, who was living with her at the time.Before Shannon's disappearance, Ms Meehan said her uncle would visit to help her mother Alice Meehan, who was living with her at the time.
She said: "He would come to see us for periods and then he would go away and [we would] not hear from him."She said: "He would come to see us for periods and then he would go away and [we would] not hear from him."
Shannon Matthews disappeared in February Michael Donovan called himself after a character from a sci-fi TV show
The jury was told that Donovan "loved" his two daughters and fought to have custody of them when his marriage broke up.The jury was told that Donovan "loved" his two daughters and fought to have custody of them when his marriage broke up.
Ms Meehan agreed with Peter Conrad QC, defending Mr Donovan, when he said: "He loved them. They were taken into care after he fought for custody of them."Ms Meehan agreed with Peter Conrad QC, defending Mr Donovan, when he said: "He loved them. They were taken into care after he fought for custody of them."
She also agreed that her uncle changed his name from Paul Drake to Michael Donovan - a name he took from the sci-fi TV show "V" - even though his brother was also named Michael.She also agreed that her uncle changed his name from Paul Drake to Michael Donovan - a name he took from the sci-fi TV show "V" - even though his brother was also named Michael.
Ms Meehan confirmed she was arrested in April on suspicion of attempting to pervert the course of justice.Ms Meehan confirmed she was arrested in April on suspicion of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
She said police asked her about a phone call between her and her mother - Mr Donovan's sister.She said police asked her about a phone call between her and her mother - Mr Donovan's sister.
Ms Meehan said the officers asked whether her mother said to her: "Don't worry. They'll never find out. Don't worry, as long as you keep your mouth shut."Ms Meehan said the officers asked whether her mother said to her: "Don't worry. They'll never find out. Don't worry, as long as you keep your mouth shut."
But she told the court: "My mum never said that to me."But she told the court: "My mum never said that to me."
The case continues.The case continues.