Shannon mother case is 'flawed'

Ms Matthews said she was "confused" during police interviews

The case against the mother of Shannon Matthews is "fatally flawed", a jury at Leeds Crown Court has heard.

Summing up the case for Karen Matthews, Frances Oldham QC said the prosecution had failed to answer important questions during the trial.

Ms Matthews, 33, is accused of being part of a plot with Michael Donovan, 40, to benefit from a reward for the youngster's return.

Both deny kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.

The prosecution allege Mr Donovan kept Shannon drugged and imprisoned in his flat in Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, West Yorkshire as part of a plan he and Ms Matthews had to claim £50,000 in reward money.

The schoolgirl was found in Mr Donovan's flat 24 days after she went missing in Dewsbury.

We ask you to remember this is a prosecution fatally flawed Frances Oldham QC Defence lawyer

Mrs Oldham told the jury: "Beware of the danger, inherent in this case, of jumping to conclusions.

"When you stand back from this case in week four, are you left with answers or questions?

"The prosecution have to make you sure of counts that they bring against Karen Matthews.

"If, as we submit on her behalf, if you are left with important unanswered questions, then you cannot be sure, can you?"

Mrs Oldham told the jury that they had not heard from the principal witness in the case, Shannon herself.

'Complete nonsense'

"The one person who can say if she went willingly and without force or favour, or unwillingly, pushed by (Mr) Donovan into the back of the car, is Shannon Matthews.

"We ask you this. We ask you to remember this is a prosecution fatally flawed."

Mrs Oldham said there was no scientific evidence to connect Ms Matthews with Mr Donovan's address at Lidgate Gardens.

She said the idea they were both capable of controlling "the whole press circle" was "complete nonsense".

"They would be giving a lessons to the likes of Max Clifford if they were able to do that," she said.

Ms Matthews has blamed the crime on her former partner Craig Meehan, and other family members.

She earlier told the court she was "disgusted" by allegations that she was involved in her daughter's abduction.

The trial continues.