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Shannon accused 'shocked at plot' Shannon accused 'shocked at plot'
(about 1 hour later)
A man accused of kidnapping Shannon Matthews said he was "scared" of her mother who he claims was behind a plot to claim £50,000 in reward money.A man accused of kidnapping Shannon Matthews said he was "scared" of her mother who he claims 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 several 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 Shannon's mother 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.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?" He told the court: "I'm scared of (Karen). She kept threatening me."
Mr Donovan replied: "No."
She told me that she was going to get a bigger reward out of this if (Shannon) went missing Michael DonovanShe 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."
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 they were in a cafe in Dewsbury when Ms Matthews put a plan to him to claim £50,000 in reward money.
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 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 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 he told Shannon they could not go there because of the fog and should instead go to his flat.
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.
Ms Matthews did not want to speak to Shannon, Mr Donovan told the court
Mr Conrad asked him what contact he had 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.
No toys
He said his co-accused was supposed to ring at 2200 GMT on 19 February but did not.He said his co-accused was supposed to ring at 2200 GMT on 19 February but did not.
Mr Donovan said Ms Matthews rang the following day. "She told me 'Is everything all right? Is she settled down?'Mr Donovan said Ms Matthews rang the following day. "She told me 'Is everything all right? Is she settled down?'
Mr Donovan said he asked her why Shannon had no clothes or toys.Mr Donovan said he asked her why Shannon had no clothes or toys.
"She told me: 'You've got money - go and buy them'.""She told me: 'You've got money - go and buy them'."
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'."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'."
He said he later saw on the news that Shannon had been reported missing.He said he later saw on the news that Shannon had been reported missing.
"I was really shocked and thought: 'She's really gone through with it'.""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."
Travel sickness Mr Donovan told the jury Shannon suffered from travel sickness and he bought tablets from a local chemist to ease her condition.
Mr Donovan told the jury that Shannon suffered from travel sickness and he bought tablets from a local chemist to ease her condition. He told the jury he took Temazepam but denied giving Shannon the tablets to make her drowsy.
He said he was told by a pharmacist to give a nine-year-old girl two tablets in the morning before breakfast.
Mr Conrad asked him if he gave Shannon the tablets to make her more compliant and drowsy.
"No, it's not true, that," he said.
Mr Donovan told the jury he took Temazepam but denied giving any to Shannon.
He said he stored it in a kitchen cupboard or wall unit and said she could reach the medicine if she stood on a chair.He said he stored it in a kitchen cupboard or wall unit and said she could reach the medicine if she stood on a chair.
'Knocked around'
Mr Donovan said he was giving Shannon a drink when he saw police officers approach his property on 14 March.
He said: "I told Shannon 'The police are here'. She said 'Oh no, I don't want the police'."
He said two or three police officers piled on top of him and then Shannon said "leave us alone" as he was pinned to the floor.
He said he thought he heard Shannon's voice coming from underneath the bed and said she was taken away by officers.
"After that they got me up roughly and started knocking me around. I couldn't stand up," he said.
He said he was "dragged" away and his head started banging against a wall.
He and Ms Matthews deny kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.He and Ms Matthews deny kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.
The trial continues.The trial continues.