Shannon's mother leaves home with police

The mother of nine-year-old Shannon Matthews left her home with police officers today as detectives continued to piece together what happened to the youngster in the 24 days she was missing.

Karen Matthews, 32, left her home in Moorside Road, Dewsbury Moor, West Yorkshire, just before 8.30am with her partner Craig Meehan, 22, and the couple’s daughter Courtney, two.

The family were accompanied by the two family liaison police officers who have been with them throughout their ordeal.

One of the officers was carrying a child’s buggy.

Mrs Matthews and Mr Meehan said nothing as they walked a hundred metres down their street before getting into the back of an unmarked police car.

They were then driven off by the officers.