Shannon accused man says he was threatened

LONDON (Reuters) - The man accused of kidnapping Shannon Matthews told police the schoolgirl's mother had offered him money and threatened him into looking after the youngster, a court was told on Thursday.

Jurors at Leeds Crown Court also heard Michael Donovan had taken Shannon out to parks and on visits to local shops during the 24 days she was missing from home, the Press Association reported.

Karen Matthews, 33, and Donovan, 40, are accused of kidnapping and falsely imprisoning Shannon who went missing from her home in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, in February and March this year when she was nine. They deny the charges.

The court heard that in a prepared statement given to police after his arrest, Donovan said he had been approached by Matthews who asked him if he could look after one of her sons.

"She then asked me to take care of Shannon and again said there would be money in it for me," the court heard.

Donovan then said Matthews threatened to "get three lads on to me."

"I know one of the people she mentioned had stabbed a man and killed him. I was frightened if I didn't do it they'd come after me," he said.

Donovan told officers that Shannon would watch cartoons on television in his flat but he had also taken her on trips out, including visiting local shops, when she would sit in the back of his car with her coat on and hood up.

On three occasions he took her to local parks.  Continued...