Matthews' stepfather charged with child porn offences

Craig Meehan, the stepfather of Shannon Matthews, was charged tonight with 10 offences of possessing indecent images of children.

Meehan, 22, was arrested at Shannon’s home in West Yorkshire, in the UK this morning.

He will appear before court at 10am tomorrow.

A police spokesman said: “A 22-year-old man has been charged with 10 specimen offences of possession of indecent images of children.

“In relation to the welfare of the family’s children, it is being dealt with by social services. Police policy is we are not commenting on the welfare of the children.”

Shannon was found hidden in the base of a bed in a flat just one mile from her home after a dramatic 24-day search by police.

She has been in the care of social services since she was discovered at the flat in Batley Carr, in the UK on March 14.

Meehan’s uncle, Michael Donovan, 39, who lived at the flat in Batley Carr, was charged with her kidnap and imprisonment.

His trial has been provisionally set for November 11 at Leeds Crown Court.

Fishmonger Meehan has lived with Shannon’s mother Karen Matthews, 32, in Moorside Road for around five years.

They share the house with three of Mrs Matthews’ children, including Shannon, and the couple’s own two-year-old daughter.