'Britain's worst mum' Karen Matthews 'engaged' to convicted paedophile

2 January 2020, 15:10 | Updated: 2 January 2020, 15:46

Karen Matthews is said to be engaged to convicted paedophile Paul Saunders
Karen Matthews is said to be engaged to convicted paedophile Paul Saunders. Picture: PA

Karen Matthews is engaged to a convicted paedophile, it has been claimed.

Matthews, 44, has been seen wearing an engagement ring, said to be a mock up of the Duchess of Cambridges' ring - while out shopping this week.

According to MailOnline, her new fiance is convicted paedophile Paul Sanders, who she met six weeks ago when he was hired to work on her bathroom.

Sanders, 56, was jailed in 2010 after he admitted admitting engaging in sexual activity with a child.

During the three years he abused his teenage victim, he worked as a driver for disabled and elderly people.

His crimes were only discovered when his victim's mum found indecent images on his mobile phone of her daughter.

Matthews, now 44, was jailed for eight years and released after serving half her sentence
Matthews, now 44, was jailed for eight years and released after serving half her sentence. Picture: PA
Paul Sanders was jailed for having sex with a teenager in 2010
Paul Sanders was jailed for having sex with a teenager in 2010. Picture: Police

Sanders served half of a five year prison sentence and was ordered to sign the sex offenders' register for life.

When he was sentenced his victim - who is now an adult - said: "He makes me sick. He should die. I hate him."

Friends of the couple claim they are "inseparable" and act like "teenagers in love".

Matthews was labelled "Britain's worst mother" in 2008 after sparking one of the biggest missing persons hunt after she faking the kidnap of her daughter Shannon Matthews.

Shannon, then nine, was drugged and hid in the base of a divan bed in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, for 24 days.

Matthews pictured at the time of the kidnapping with then-boyfriend Craig Meehan
Matthews pictured at the time of the kidnapping with then-boyfriend Craig Meehan. Picture: PA
Shannon Matthews was nine when her mum drugged her and hid her under a bed
Shannon Matthews was nine when her mum drugged her and hid her under a bed. Picture: PA

Matthew's had planned the crime with her ex-boyfriend's uncle Michael Donovan, to try and claim a £50,000 reward for "finding" her.

For her part in the crime, Matthews was jailed for eight years, but was released in 2012 after serving half her sentence.

Matthews has no contact with any of her seven children.

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