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Shannon accused 'shocked at plot' Shannon accused 'shocked at plot'
(about 5 hours 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 gave evidence 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. Mr Donovan, 40, 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 a broken jaw he sustained in a jail attack.
He told the court: "I'm scared of (Karen). She kept threatening me."He told the court: "I'm scared of (Karen). She kept threatening me."
She told me that she was going to get a bigger reward out of this if (Shannon) went missing Michael Donovan She told me that she was going to get a bigger reward out of this if [Shannon] went missing Michael Donovan
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.
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 courtMs 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 Donovan said he asked Ms Matthews why Shannon had no clothes or toys.
He said his co-accused was supposed to ring at 2200 GMT on 19 February but did not. "She told me: 'You've got money - go and buy them.'"
Mr Donovan said Ms Matthews rang the following day. "She told me 'Is everything all right? Is she settled down?' 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 said he asked her why Shannon had no clothes or toys.
"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'."
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." Mr Donovan denied claims made by Ms Matthews' barrister, Frances Oldham QC, that he never took Shannon out in his car to visit parks and local supermarkets.
Mr Donovan told the jury Shannon suffered from travel sickness and he bought tablets from a local chemist to ease her condition. 'Dragged away'
He told the jury he took Temazepam but denied giving Shannon the tablets to make her drowsy. "I took her out to the park," Mr Donovan told the jury.
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.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: "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. Two or three police officers piled on top of him as he was pinned to the floor, Mr Donovan told the court.
He said he thought he heard Shannon's voice coming from underneath the bed and said she was taken away by officers. He said as he was "dragged" away he heard someone say: "Stop being cruel to him."
"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 court has been adjourned until Wednesday.