SHANNON Matthews' kidnapping gripped the nation after the schoolgirl vanished in 2008.

Karen Matthews, Shannon's mum, was dating Craig Meehan at the time. He was not involved in the extortion plot – but was found to be in possession of child pornography during police investigations and later jailed.

Who is Craig Meehan?

Craig Meehan is a convicted paedophile and the ex-boyfriend of Karen Matthews.

The supermarket fishmonger shared a house with Matthews, dubbed "Britain's Most Hated Mum", for around five years.

They lived on the Dewsbury Moor estate in West Yorkshire – just a mile from where Shannon was found in Batley Carr.

Meehan was never charged in connection with the nine-year-old's abduction.

Was Craig Meehan involved in the kidnapping of Shannon Matthews?

Meehan was not involved in Shannon's kidnapping.

He was charged and found guilty though of possessing child abuse images after detectives seized computer equipment from the house they shared at the time in Dewsbury.

What was Craig Meehan's relationship with Karen Matthews?

Craig Meehan and Karen Matthews were in a relationship for five years.

The pair were together when Matthews plotted her daughter's kidnap with his uncle, Donovan.

Meehan met the mum-of-seven, who has children with five different men, when he was not much more than a boy.

The youngster used to hang out in the street outside her home while Matthews was in her late 20s.

They had been together for around four years when Shannon disappeared and stayed together up until Matthews' trial.

Throughout the cruel mum's trial for child neglect and perverting the course of justice, Meehan continued to profess his love for her.

He told the court they had a "pretty good relationship", but said Matthews suspected he was cheating on her with a fellow supermarket worker.

Matthews initially told a similar story, but soon changed her tune entirely.

Giving evidence in court Matthews tried to portray Meehan as violent rapist and attempted to blame him for Shannon's abduction.

Where has Craig Meehan lived?

Meehan has been moved five times since being released from prison in 2008.

He was initially found a home in Keighley, West Yorkshire, but was moved after being attacked.

Housing authorities found him alternative accommodation in the town but he was unmasked again and moved 20 miles to a village near Huddersfield.

But his stay in the affluent village was short-lived when horrified residents discovered Meehan was in the area.

He then moved back to Dewsbury, prompting fury from residents who discovered him.

Where is Craig Meehan now?

Meehan had remained in Dewsbury and was unmasked living just 100 yards from a primary school.

He had been living in a tiny back-to-back terraced house in a quiet street popular with families and just yards from a school.

The house was close to the home he shared with Matthews and Shannon at the time of her abduction.

Meehan – who is on the Sex Offender's Register – was discovered by angry locals and confronted by a dad whose kids go to the school.

Many residents were shocked the paedophile had been placed back in the town, where he is "well known".

The 30-year-old has now relocated again. It is the fifth time he will have found alternative accommodation following his release from prison in 2008.

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