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Shannon accused 'scared of Karen' Shannon accused 'scared of Karen'
(10 minutes later)
A man accused of kidnapping Shannon Matthews told a jury today he was "scared" of the schoolgirl's mother. A man accused of kidnapping Shannon Matthews told a jury he was "scared" of the schoolgirl's mother.
Michael Donovan took the stand at Leeds Crown Court, where he and Shannon's mother Karen Matthews, 33, deny charges over the girl's disappearance.Michael Donovan took the stand at Leeds Crown Court, where he and Shannon's mother Karen Matthews, 33, deny charges over the girl's disappearance.
The 40-year-old of Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, West Yorkshire, was giving evidence after receiving treatment for injuries he received in a jail attack.The 40-year-old of Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, West Yorkshire, was giving evidence after receiving treatment for injuries he received in a jail attack.
Mr Donovan said Karen Matthews had "kept threatening him".Mr Donovan said Karen Matthews had "kept threatening him".
Mr Donovan and Ms Matthews deny kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.Mr Donovan and Ms Matthews deny kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.
His barrister Alan Conrad QC asked him: "How do you feel towards Karen? Do you like her?"His barrister Alan Conrad QC asked him: "How do you feel towards Karen? Do you like her?"
Mr Donovan said: "No."Mr Donovan said: "No."
Asked why, he added: "I'm scared of her. She kept threatening me."Asked why, he added: "I'm scared of her. She kept threatening me."
Within minutes of him going into the witness box on Tuesday he had to be asked repeatedly to speak louder by the judge, Mr Justice McCombe. Psychiatric counselling
The charges relate to the 24-day disappearance of Shannon in February and March, when the little girl was nine. Mr Donovan confirmed he was convicted of arson and shoplifting when he was 11 years old and criminal damage when he was 16.
The case continues. Leeds Crown Court heard that, more recently, he had accepted police cautions for attempting to obtain property, namely medicine, by deception.
He also agreed he went to a special school when he was younger because "I have difficulties with all sorts of things".
Ms Matthews told Mr Donovan that 'she had a problem', jurors heard
Mr Donovan confirmed he liked driving but had more than 100 lessons before he passed his driving test on the second attempt.
He had been in a road accident in 1991 when his van overturned on the M62 in West Yorkshire.
He said he met his future wife, Susan Bird, when he was having psychiatric counselling following the accident and had two daughters with his wife, but there were problems in the marriage.
He confirmed he took a range of drugs for his various problems, including Temazepam, but denied ever taking heroin.
Mr Donovan then went on to tell the jury that Karen Matthews flagged him down while he was driving in Dewsbury.
She told him she had a "problem" and wanted him to sort it out. He claimed she said: "I don't want anyone else to know about it".
The two agreed to meet at a cafe in Dewsbury a few days later, the jury was told.
Donovan also told the court that Matthews asked him for a loan of £20,000.
Mr Conrad asked him: "Did you have that money?"
"No, I didn't," he replied.
Mr Conrad then asked him if he would have loaned her the money if he had it.
"No," he told the jury.