KAREN MATTHEWS FLAT HUNTING IN BERKSHIRE WITH PAEDOPHILE FIANCÉ IN THE SHADOWS OF DEWSBURY AND OXFORD

In a series of recent events that have once again cast a dark shadow over her troubled past, Karen Matthews, whose name remains associated with one of the most notorious child abduction cases in the UK, has been spotted engaging in property searches in Reading, Berkshire. Her current whereabouts are not publicly confirmed, but her activities have attracted significant attention due to her history and the controversial associations she maintains.

Matthews, who gained infamy after faking her daughter Shannon Matthews' kidnapping in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, was seen actively involved in looking for a new residence. She was photographed clutching a bottle of Prosecco while inspecting an upstairs flat in a town in the south of England, accompanied by her fiancé, Paul Saunders. Saunders, a handyman with a criminal record, was jailed in 2010 after admitting to engaging in sexual activities with a minor. His conviction was for offenses committed between 2006 and 2009, when his victim was a teenager, and he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life.

Since forming a relationship with Saunders, Matthews has reportedly severed ties with friends and acquaintances who disapprove of her new partner. The couple reportedly met when Saunders was called to do work on her flat, which led to their ongoing relationship. One former friend expressed disdain, stating, “She’s pathetic. She’s chosen a paedo over her family and friends. She says she loves him and she doesn’t want to be alone.”

Matthews initially claimed ignorance of Saunders’ criminal background, which included a five-year prison sentence for paedophilia. Prior to his conviction, Saunders worked as a driver, transporting the elderly to hospitals and disabled teenagers to college. His offenses, uncovered by police, involved a teenage victim and were discovered after he was jailed for benefit fraud in May 2009, when photographs of the victim were found on his mobile phone. As a result, he was mandated to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

Her criminal history is extensive. In 2008, Matthews was convicted alongside her ex-boyfriend’s uncle, Michael Donovan, for orchestrating the fake kidnapping of her nine-year-old daughter, Shannon Matthews, in Dewsbury. Her former partner, Craig Meehan, was also jailed that same year for 20 weeks for possessing indecent images of children on a computer found in their shared home. The images ranged from children aged four to sixteen and were classified as highly indecent.

In recent years, Matthews has attempted to reinvent herself. By May 2018, she was residing in Reading, Berkshire, and had adopted the alias ‘Katy Parker’. She was photographed in April 2018 with a new short hairstyle, dyed copper, and a slimmer physique, having lost two stone. Despite her efforts to disguise her identity, her appearance was quickly recognized by locals, who expressed outrage at her apparent rehabilitation efforts. A resident near her probation hostel remarked, “She will now truly know she will never be able to escape the legacy of her wickedness.”

Her release from Foston Hall prison in Derbyshire occurred just eight days prior, after serving half of her eight-year sentence for her role in the kidnapping plot. Her daughter Shannon was abducted in February 2008, and her captivity lasted 24 days before police rescued her from a flat in Batley Carr, owned by Michael Donovan. Matthews was seen sobbing on television, pleading for her “little princess,” and offering a reward of £50,000 for her safe return. The police investigation revealed that Shannon was drugged and restrained during her captivity, and she was found hidden in the base of a divan bed.

Following her release, Matthews was transported to a women-only hostel in the Home Counties, where she was given a private, monitored room. She initially claimed to be from Sheffield and engaged in routine activities such as making cards for her children and cleaning communal areas. However, her brief outing to a local shop, where she purchased juice, cigarettes, and a magazine, was enough for her to be recognized by locals. Critics have questioned the fairness of her rehabilitation, noting that she was only required to serve half her sentence and was rewarded with a makeover and a shopping trip.

Her past associations and the ongoing resentment from her community, especially her relatives in Dewsbury Moor, remain intense. Her cousin, Susan Howgate, warned that if Matthews returned to their estate, she would face violence. Many former friends and neighbors believe she still perceives herself as innocent, despite her convictions and the widespread contempt she faces. Matthews has consistently maintained her innocence, even expressing a desire to appear on television with a lie detector to prove her claims.

Her criminal timeline includes the initial disappearance of Shannon Matthews in February 2008, the subsequent police investigation, and her eventual conviction in December of that year. The case drew comparisons to the Madeleine McCann disappearance, with media coverage highlighting class disparities and societal perceptions. Matthews’ trial revealed that Shannon had been drugged and restrained during her captivity, and her mother’s multiple inconsistent statements were scrutinized.

Despite her efforts to move on, the shadow of her past continues to follow her, and her current activities in Berkshire have only reignited public outrage and media scrutiny. Her story remains a stark reminder of the complex interplay between crime, social class, and justice in contemporary Britain.