This was supposedly "A mother showing true grief" for missing daughter/Karen Matthews

What a complete Ba****d

Shannon Case: Mum 'Seen' At Flat

The mother of missing schoolgirl Shannon Matthews was allegedly seen at the home of the man accused of kidnapping her, a court has heard.

Defendant Karen Matthews, missing daughter Shannon and co-defendant Donovan

Neighbour Carole Battye said she saw Karen Matthews at Michael Donovan's flat at 10pm on Thursday February 21, two days after Shannon went missing.

Under cross-examination, Mrs Battye later said she cannot be sure the woman she saw was Matthews.

The comments were made at the trial of Karen Matthews, 33, and Michael Donovan, 40, which resumed at Leeds Crown Court.

It had been halted yesterday after it emerged Donovan needed further medical treatment after being attacked in prison.

Karen Matthews

Mrs Battye, who was Donovan's next-door neighbour, said in her witness statement: "I walked down the path and this lady came out from his doorway.

"She asked me if I knew what time Mick would be in."

She said she then asked her for a cigarette.

Mrs Battye told the jury that the woman she saw was between 30 and 40 years old and about 5ft 2in with mousy hair.

In cross-examination by Matthews' barrister, Frances Oldham QC, told the court that Mrs Battye had discussed the woman she had seen with her daughter, Michelle, after Shannon was found in Donovan's flat.

The barrister said Mrs Battye's daughter told her: "Mum, you've just described Shannon's mother."

Ms Oldham said to the witness: "And, although Michelle said that to you, you thought 'Was it her?"'

She continued: "You cannot be sure or certain that it was her. Correct?"

Mrs Battye said: "Yes."

PC Martin Townend told the court that Mrs Battye identified Matthews as the person she had seen during an identity parade on April 7.

Both defendants deny the charges. The trial continues.