Hello 

Create Profile

Creating your profile will enable you to submit photos and stories to get published on News24.


Please provide a username for your profile page:

This username must be unique, cannot be edited and will be used in the URL to your profile page across the entire 24.com network.

Settings

Location Settings

News24 allows you to edit the display of certain components based on a location. If you wish to personalise the page based on your preferences, please select a location for each component and click "Submit" in order for the changes to take affect.









Facebook Sign-In

Hi News addict,

Join the News24 Community to be involved in breaking the news.

Log in with Facebook to comment and personalise news, weather and listings.

 
 

Shannon's mom to go on trial

2008-04-16 21:25
line

London - The mother of a nine-year-old British girl whose disappearance sparked a massive three-week search until she was found safe and sound will go on trial later this year, a judge ruled on Wednesday.

Karen Matthews will face a jury on November 11 accused of perverting the course of justice and child neglect in relation to the disappearance of her daughter, Shannon, in northern England in February, judge Peter Collier said.

The 32-year-old will be in the dock alongside Michael Donovan, the uncle of her partner, who is accused of the little girl's kidnap and false imprisonment.

Matthews, from the town of Dewsbury, near Leeds, appeared at Leeds Crown Court via videolink from prison where she is being held on remand. Donovan, 39, was not in court, but was represented by his lawyer.

Neither defendant has yet entered a plea to the charges and there was no application for bail. A further administrative hearing was set for the same court on July 11.

Child pornography charges

More than 300 police officers were mobilised alongside the local community to find Shannon after she went missing on February 19 after a school swimming trip.

She was eventually discovered in the base of a bed at Donovan's flat just 1.6km from her home after a 24-day search, sparking jubilant celebrations locally. Donovan was arrested at the flat.

Her mother was arrested and charged earlier this month. She is accused of knowing where her daughter was, but not telling police.

Several members of her extended family have also been arrested and bailed in connection to the case, which during Shannon's disappearance drew comparisons to the search for missing toddler Madeleine McCann in Portugal last year.

Her partner, Craig Meehan, 22, faces unrelated child pornography charges and is in custody awaiting trial.

inside news24

 
1 of 10

140
1

Latest comment in World

The-Azanian says... now israelis have to watch their big mouths or go the same way by asking sugar-daddy aka usa for more nukes and tougher sanctions. Read the article...

 
Traffic
Lottery
 
  • Friday Carletonville - 10:01 AM
    Road name: N14
    ROAD CLOSED due to a large sink-hole between the two Carletonville exits - traffic is diverted onto a local bypass route
  • Sunday Volksrust - 07:33 AM
    Road name: N11 Both Ways
    Stop / go controls for construction works at Majuba Pass - expect delays between Volksrust and Newcastle
  • Monday Centurion - 15:41 PM
    Road name: Jean Avenue
    ROAD CLOSED between Rabie Street and Gerhard Street for sink hole repair works
 
More traffic reports...
 

Jobs [change area]

Cars[change area]

CHEVROLET

Optra 1.6 LS
2007
R 99,990.00

VOLKSWAGEN

Polo 1.6 Comfortline 5-dr AT
2007
R 149,995.00

NISSAN

X-Trail 2.0 4x2 MY06
2006
R 152,000.00

Property [change area]

Travel - Look, Book, Go!

Romance at the President

Spend two nights at the Protea Hotel President in Cape Town from R2601 per person sharing. Includes return flights, taxes, car hire and accommodation. Book Now!

Kalahari.com - shop online today

Electronics on Sale

Up to 80% off electronics + 24hr delivery. Shop now.

50% Off Educo toys

Join the Big Mama Sale madness at kalahari.com and get 50% off all Educo toys for your kids. Terms and conditions apply. Shop now.

Books on Sale

Up to 80% off books & 1000s Of books to choose from. First come, first served. While stocks last. Shop now.

Blu-ray special offer

Buy 10 blu-rays and get a free Sony blu-ray player. Offer valid while stocks last. Shop now.

Perfect pair Valentine's Day offer

Buy a classic male grooming shave brush set for R279 & get 15% off a selection of cologne. Buy now.

OLX Free Classifieds [change area]

Drain & Pipe Inspection System

For Sale, Garage Sale in South Africa, Gauteng, Johannesburg. Date January 21

2011 Mazda 2 1.5 Dynamic

Vehicles, Cars in South Africa, Gauteng, Johannesburg. Date January 22

Estimator

Jobs, Engineering Jobs - Architecture Jobs in South Africa, Gauteng, Johannesburg. Date January 21

The Big Mama Sale

The Big Mama Sale is now on. Get up to 80% off Books, Music, DVDs, Games, Electronics, Toys & Gifts. Shop now.

Visit www.kalahari.com for millions of books, music, DVDs, games & more!

BlackBerry Curve 3G 9300

Keep it together Text. Email. Social. With all the different ways to...

From R2199.00

I'm shopping for:

A local community where you can meet people, upload photos, videos and loads more...
There are new stories on the homepage. Click here to see them.