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Karen Matthews faces 'substantial jail term
The mother of Shannon Matthews was facing a "substantial" jail sentence today after being found guilty of kidnapping her daughter.
Karen Matthews conspired with her partner's uncle Michael Donovan to keep her nine-year-old daughter drugged and imprisoned.
Meanwhile, she repeatedly lied and cried "crocodile tears" during a massive search for Shannon, who went missing on her way home in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, in February.
Twenty-four days after she disappeared, Shannon was found in Donovan's flat, less than a mile from her home.
The pair were found guilty of kidnapping Shannon following a trial at Leeds Crown Court.
Matthews, 33, of Moorside Road, Dewsbury Moor, West Yorkshire, and Donovan, 40, were also convicted of false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.
The pair showed no emotion as the verdict was returned by the jury of seven men and five women after around six hours of deliberations.
Mr Justice McCombe warned the pair that they face a "substantial custodial sentence".
He said earlier that he would adjourn sentencing for reports. No application was made for bail and the two defendants were led away.
During the three-week trial, the court heard that Shannon, now 10, went missing on February 19 as she walked home from school.
After a massive search operation by West Yorkshire Police costing almost 3.2 million, she was found by police in Donovan's flat in Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, West Yorkshire on March 14.
The search was one of the largest ever conducted by the West Yorkshire force.
The prosecution told the jury that Donovan kept Shannon drugged and imprisoned in his flat as part of a plan he and Matthews hatched to claim 50,000 in reward money.
Matthews denied the abduction and blamed the crime on her former partner, Craig Meehan, and other members of his family.
She said she was "disgusted" by allegations that she was involved in her daughter's kidnap.
Donovan, who is the uncle of Mr Meehan, claims he was scared of Matthews and agreed to take Shannon only because he feared for his life.
Outside court, friends and neighbours of Matthews spoke of their feelings following the conviction.
Petra Jamieson said she was shocked that Matthews showed no emotion as the verdicts were delivered.
She said: "She didn't seem bothered. All us lot have been here all the way through it, but she didn't seem to give a ****.
"I don't think it has hit home yet. Maybe it will when she comes to be sentenced.
Friend Julie Bushby said she still "loved her to bits" and would visit Matthews in prison.
She said: "I'm not bothered by the verdicts. It's Karen who's let us down. She's not shown any emotion. The tears she cried were crocodile tears.
She did not want to comment on Donovan but described him as "weird".
Speaking outside the court, Detective Superintendant Andy Brennan, who led the investigation, described Matthews as "pure evil".
He said she deceived those closest to her from the moment Shannon was kidnapped.
"They had no reason to believe Shannon had been taken as part of an elaborate scam or hoax," he said.
"It is difficult to understand what type of woman would subject her own daughter to such a wicked and evil crime.
"Karen Matthews is a manipulative individual who has demonstrated a remarkable ability to lie."
YEP reporter Richard Edwards insight into family
Karen Matthews - the sink estate slob
Donovan - the inadequate 'oddball'
Karen Matthews faces substantial jail term
Shannon: The rescue video
How Shannon was betrayed by her mum
Hunt for Shannon second only to Yorkshire Ripper
Tribute to officers who searched for Shannon
Shannon disappearance - timeline
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Weather for Leeds
Sunday 12 February 2012
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