Notorious Dewsbury Moor mum Karen Matthews is released from jail

The shamed mother-of-seven was believed to have been released from jail yesterday, after serving half of an eight-year sentence for the kidnap and false imprisonment of her daughter, Shannon.

The former Dewsbury Moor woman was expected to leave Foston Hall Prison in Derbyshire. She was sentenced in January 2009 and was to serve half of that time. Taking into account time served since she was charged on April 8, 2008, and the Easter bank holiday, her release date would have been yesterday.

Her imminent return to society thrust Dewsbury Moor back into the media spotlight with newspaper and television reports from the Moorside estate where little Shannon went missing in February 2008.

Amid mounting speculation as to whether she might return to Dewsbury, there were also rumours that she could get a new identity in view of her notoriety.

The Ministry of Justice would not comment on any aspect of the case.

Karen was accused with Michael Donovan, a relative of her former partner, Craig Meehan. He also got an eight-year sentence and was released from prison a few weeks ago.

The pair were also found guilty of perverting the course of justice during the 24-day police search for Shannon which cost more than £3m and ended with the little girl being found at Donovan’s Batley Carr flat.

Pick up a copy of today’s Reporter for more.