This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/west_yorkshire/7748171.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Shannon accused 'shocked at plan' Shannon accused 'shocked at plot'
(21 minutes later)
A man accused of kidnapping Shannon Matthews said he was "scared" of her mother as she plotted to claim a £50,000 reward. A man accused of kidnapping Shannon Matthews said he was "scared" of her mother who was behind a plot to claim £50,000 in reward money.
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 several charges over the girl's disappearance.
The 40-year-old of Batley Carr, West Yorkshire, said he was "shocked" Ms Matthews had gone ahead with the plan.The 40-year-old of Batley Carr, West Yorkshire, said he was "shocked" Ms Matthews had gone ahead with the plan.
He also told the jury that she had "kept threatening him". He also told the jury that Shannon's mother had "kept threatening him".
Mr Donovan was giving evidence after receiving treatment for injuries he received in a jail attack. He and Ms Matthews deny kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice. Mr Donovan was giving evidence after receiving treatment for injuries he received in a jail attack.
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 replied: "No."
She told me that she was going to get a bigger reward out of this if (Shannon) went missing Michael Donovan
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."
'Reward money' Mr Donovan said they were in a cafe in Dewsbury when Ms Matthews put a plan to him to claim £50,000 in reward money.
Mr Donovan said Matthews put a plan to him to claim £50,000 in reward money.
They were in a cafe in Dewsbury when this happened.
"At that time she said that she had a plan to get some money."
Mr Donovan said Matthews passed him a piece of paper with writing on it.
He said Ms Matthews first asked him to look after her elder son, but he refused.He said Ms Matthews first asked him to look after her elder son, but he refused.
Mr Donovan said: "She paused. Then she came out and said 'Can you look after Shannon instead?'. Mr Donovan said: "She paused. Then she came out and said: 'Can you look after Shannon instead?'
"She told me that she was going to get a bigger reward out of this if she went missing.""She told me that she was going to get a bigger reward out of this if she went missing."
Mr Donovan told the court that, on 19 February, he waited about 10 or 15 minutes before Shannon approached his car.Mr Donovan told the court that, on 19 February, he waited about 10 or 15 minutes before Shannon approached his car.
Ms Matthews told Mr Donovan that 'she had a problem', jurors heard Ms Matthews did not want to speak to Shannon, Mr Donovan told the court
He said: "I told Karen to bring Shannon down but she didn't. Shannon came down by herself, on her own."He said: "I told Karen to bring Shannon down but she didn't. Shannon came down by herself, on her own."
He told the crown court the little girl said to him: "My mum told me you were taking me to the fair tonight." He told the crown court how the girl, then nine years old, said to him: "My mum told me you were taking me to the fair tonight."
Mr Donovan said: "It was right foggy and awful that night. I don't know exactly why she said that. Mr Donovan said he told Shannon they could not go there because of the fog and should instead go to his flat.
"I drove around Dewsbury and the fog was getting really down." According to Mr Donovan, Shannon then said: "My mum said I'll be stopping at your flat."
He said he told Shannon they could not go to the fair because of the fog.
"I told her that we'll have to go back to my flat now."
According to Mr Donovan Shannon then said: "My mum said I'll be stopping at your flat."
He told the jury he was surprised the youngster had nothing with her except the clothes she was wearing.He told the jury he was surprised the youngster had nothing with her except the clothes she was wearing.
Mr Conrad asked him what contact he had with Ms Matthews during the 24 days Shannon was at his flat. Mr Conrad asked him what contact he had had with Ms Matthews during the 24 days Shannon was at his flat.
I was really shocked and thought 'She's really gone through with it' Michael Donovan No toys
He said his co-accused was supposed to ring at 2200 GMT on the 19th but she did not. He said his co-accused was supposed to ring at 2200 GMT on 19 February but did not.
Michael Donovan said she rang the following day, apparently on his sister Alice Meehan's phone. Mr Donovan said Ms Matthews rang the following day. "She told me 'Is everything all right? Is she settled down?'
"She told me 'Is everything all right? Is she settled down?' Mr Donovan said he asked her why Shannon had no clothes or toys.
"I told her 'Yes'." "She told me: 'You've got money - go and buy them'."
Mr Donovan said he asked Karen Matthews why Shannon had no clothes or toys. Mr Donovan went on: "I asked if she wanted to speak to Shannon and she said: 'No, I've got to keep it short - stick to the plan, Mike'."
"She told me 'You've got money - go and buy them'." He said he later saw on the news that Shannon had been reported missing.
Donovan went on: "I asked if she wanted to speak to Shannon and she said 'No, I've got to keep it short, stick to the plan, Mike'." "I was really shocked and thought: 'She's really gone through with it'."
He said he then saw on the news later that Shannon had been reported missing.
"I was really shocked and thought 'She's really gone through with it'."
Asked what he thought he should do next, he said: "I was too terrified."Asked what he thought he should do next, he said: "I was too terrified."
He and Ms Matthews deny kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.
The trial continues.