logo
Michael Ross' lawyer hopes The Orkney Assassin documentary will 'encourage new witnesses'

Michael Ross' lawyer hopes The Orkney Assassin documentary will 'encourage new witnesses'

Edinburgh Live10-06-2025
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
Michael Ross' lawyer is optimistic that the new Prime Video documentary The Orkney Assassin: Murder In The Isles will unearth "new evidence".
It's been three decades since the appalling murder of 26 year old Shamsuddin Mahmood, who was shot dead while working at Mumtaz Restaurant in Kirkwall, Orkney.
The masked assailant entered the restaurant and swiftly left after firing the fatal shot, leaving onlookers in shock.
Ross, who faced questioning at age 15, managed to avoid arrest for 14 years until his 2008 conviction.
To commemorate the anniversary of Mahmood's murder, Prime Video has launched the documentary, featuring insights from journalists, ex-police officers, Ross' family, and eyewitnesses.
(Image: PRIME VIDEO)
Ross' legal representative Aamer Anwar shared the main motivations for participating in the Prime Video production.
"The basis for us taking part in this was one, to ensure it was a balanced documentary," he explained.
"I appreciate at the end of the day that Michael is a convicted killer and of course, this is not a case of no documentary would be doing its job if it simply presented all one side unless you could provide completely overwhelming evidence, as has happened in the past. This is not one of those cases.
"But we were very much of the view that the passage of time either means that there's somebody on the island that knows more than they said at the time.
(Image: PRIME VIDEO/ORKNEY PHOTOGRPAHIC)
"There are people who were scared at the time, the passage of time might have taken that away or people who have a guilty conscience that they didn't come forward.
"And one hopes that those people would at this stage. That would strike as new evidence, that would be people who didn't come forward, to explain what happened, who saw what happened, who knew what happened, who knew exactly who it was that pulled the trigger."
In the time since his conviction, Ross has remained adamant that he isn't guilty of murdering Mahmood when he was 15.
'You still have someone who claims he is innocent, who has never given up that he is innocent, who is still fighting to prove his innocence.', Anwar added.
'He could have made his life a lot easier by saying 'I did it.' A lot more chance of parole then, a lot more chance of getting out earlier.'
The Orkney Assassin: Murder In The Isles is available to watch on Prime Video.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘Britain's worst mum' Karen Matthews' chilling remark at fish & chip shop saw evil plot to kidnap OWN daughter unravel
‘Britain's worst mum' Karen Matthews' chilling remark at fish & chip shop saw evil plot to kidnap OWN daughter unravel

Scottish Sun

time3 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

‘Britain's worst mum' Karen Matthews' chilling remark at fish & chip shop saw evil plot to kidnap OWN daughter unravel

More than 250 officers and 60 detectives were involved in the search More than 250 officers and 60 detectives were involved in the search KIDNAP 'PLOT' 'Britain's worst mum' Karen Matthews' chilling remark at fish & chip shop saw evil plot to kidnap OWN daughter unravel KAREN Matthews' chilling remark at a chippy was when her evil plot to kidnap her own daughter started to unravel. The mum, from Dewsbury, Yorkshire, was dubbed Britain's worst mother after engineering the scheme to kidnap nine-year-old Shannon. 5 Karen Matthews holding her daughter's favourite teddy bear as she made an emotional appeal for her safe return in 2008 Credit: PA:Press Association 5 The mum, from Dewsbury, Yorkshire, was dubbed Britain's worst mother after engineering the scheme to kidnap nine-year-old Shannon Credit: PA:Press Association 5 Neighbour Petra Jamieson revealed how casually Matthews spoke about her daughter's kidnap ordeal Credit: Prime Video Along with Michael Donovan, the uncle of her then-partner, she drugged and tethered the little girl to a bed in a bid to collect reward money. In 2008, hundreds of neighbours and friends desperately searched for Shannon, with Matthews appearing on TV to sob and plea for her daughter to come home. Shannon had vanished on her way home from a swimming lesson in her hometown. She was discovered 24 days later in a shock twist, stunning the nation when it was revealed her mum had planned the scheme to claim a £50,000 reward. More than 250 officers and 60 detectives were involved in the search with cops quizzing 1,500 motorists and searching 3,000 addresses before she was finally found in Michael Donovan's grotty flat. Shannon had been sedated with temazepam for up to 20 months before her 'kidnap' and had a list of rules on how to behave to avoid being detected. In a new Prime Video documentary, neighbour Petra Jamieson revealed how Matthews' unusual behaviour first raised suspicions. Only two weeks after Shannon had been found - when Matthews' role was not yet known - she went to a fish and chips shop with Petra. Appearing on The Hunt for Shannon Matthews, Petra revealed how Matthews had a heartless reaction to being given free food out of sympathy. She said: "She looked at me and just said she should 'get rid of one of my kids more often'. "At the time, I just slapped her on the side of the arm… 'Why would you say that?'" She told the documentary that the entire community had been "bouncing around" when Shannon was finally found. And so she was unable to shake an odd feeling after Matthews' callous remark. Petra said she noticed her friend liked the "attention" of the media coverage her daughter's plight had brought. "She liked the fact that she could go into town, and everyone recognised her. People had sympathy for her and compassion, giving her hugs," she said. But despite this, she never suspected Matthews was involved and couldn't believe that a parent could do such a thing when it came to light. The nine-year-old was found tethered and drugged inside the base of a double bed at relative Michael Donovan's flat almost a month after she disappeared. An elasticated strap with a noose on the end was found in his loft and may have been used as a method of restraint when he went out. With it around her waist, Shannon would have been able to use the toilet and certain rooms, but not get out of the flat. After Shannon was found alive she was put into police protection - and the High Court granted her lifelong anonymity. She was given a new identity and went to live with a new family. On December 4, 2008, mum-of-seven Karen and Donovan were found guilty of kidnapping, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice. Both were sentenced at Leeds Crown Court to eight years behind bars. Matthews, who has been dubbed Britain's Most Hated Mum, was released from prison in April 2012 after serving half her sentence. The evil mother has since claimed she is not "Britain's worst mum" citing the fact that she didn't kill anybody and claimed "Baby P's mum and Maxine Carr don't get the abuse I do". Meanwhile, Donovan had alleged she had threatened to burn his house down if he did not go through with the twisted kidnap. He died in April last year after collapsing at a hospital in Keighley, West Yorkshire. 5 The base of a bed where Shannon was discovered Credit: Police Handout 5 Donovan died in April last year after collapsing at a hospital Credit: Handout

Chilling moment Shannon Matthews' mum pleads ‘bring her home' while hiding dark secret
Chilling moment Shannon Matthews' mum pleads ‘bring her home' while hiding dark secret

Daily Mirror

time10 hours ago

  • Daily Mirror

Chilling moment Shannon Matthews' mum pleads ‘bring her home' while hiding dark secret

The disturbing case is the subject of a new Prime Video documentary A shocking kidnapping case is the subject of a new Prime Video documentary released this week. ‌ Nine-year-old Shannon Matthews went missing in February 2008 as she walked home, sparking a 24-day search for her. The hunt was the largest conducted by West Yorkshire Police since their search for the Yorkshire Ripper, with the police investigation alone costing the force £3.2m. ‌ In a horrifying twist in the story, it emerged that Shannon's mother Karen Matthews and her partner in crime Michael Donovan had staged the kidnapping in order to claim the £50,000 reward for finding the girl. The Hunt for Shannon Matthews is released on Sunday this week (August 17) and revisits the chilling case 17 years on. ‌ READ MORE: Shannon Matthews' kidnapper Mick Donovan's cause of death and shameless lies he told until the end Shannon was eventually found by police imprisoned and drugged in the base of a divan bed in Michael's flat while the ruse played out. She had also been restrained by a homemade lead. While her daughter was still missing, Karen gave an impromptu press release outside of her house in which she pleaded for Shannon's safe return, all while knowing exactly where she was. Footage of the chilling moment is shown in the upcoming documentary. ‌ In it, Karen can be seen bleary-eyed and looking distraught as she tells cameras: "Please come home Shannon if you're out there come home. If anybody's got my daughter, my beautiful princess daughter please bring her home safe." Karen, then aged 33, and Michael, aged 40 at the time, were found guilty of kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice. They were each jailed for eight years for their crimes, which the judge called "truly despicable." ‌ He said: "It is impossible to conceive how you could have found it in you to put this young girl through the ordeal that you inflicted upon her." When her mother was on trial, it was revealed that following the kidnapping, Shannon suffered from frequent nightmares and required psychotherapy sessions. Michael died in April 2024 at the age of 54, while Karen was released from prison in 2012. Meanwhile Shannon was placed into care with her siblings and given a new identity.

Neighbour shocked by Karen Matthews' comments prior to Shannon's kidnapping revelation
Neighbour shocked by Karen Matthews' comments prior to Shannon's kidnapping revelation

Daily Record

time20 hours ago

  • Daily Record

Neighbour shocked by Karen Matthews' comments prior to Shannon's kidnapping revelation

A new two-part documentary looking at the Shannon Matthews kidnapping case is available on Prime Video. When Shannon Matthews, a nine year old lass, went missing on 19 February 2008, the residents of Dewsbury's impoverished Moorside Estate showered her mum, Karen, with an outpouring of support. ‌ Her friend Petra Jamieson recalls a poignant moment during a visit to a local chippy with Karen: "We went into a fish and chip shop, and she got fish and chips for the family. ‌ "The person behind the counter says, 'They are on us. We're really sorry about what's gone with your daughter.'" ‌ Karen's shocking response was, according to Petra, "'I should get rid of one of my kids more often.' At the time, I just slapped her on the side of the arm... 'why would you say that?'" This chilling revelation is part of a new two-part Prime Video documentary, The Hunt for Shannon Matthews, set to be available in the UK and Ireland on Sunday, August 17. It also delves into the life of Shannon Matthews' mum Karen while she was in prison, reports the Mirror. ‌ The documentary unravels the astonishing tale of how, after Shannon vanished for 24 days, it emerged that Karen had actually conspired to stage the kidnapping with her boyfriend's uncle, Michael Donovan. Petra, one of Karen's neighbours featured in the documentary, remembers watching Karen pleading outside her West Yorkshire home for the return of her "beautiful princess daughter" Shannon. Living just a couple of doors down from Karen, their children attended the same school and the mums had developed a close friendship. With the typical generosity of residents living on the council estate, Petra stood by Karen throughout the 24 days that Shannon remained missing. And when she was discovered, the neighbourhood rejoiced. Petra, who was present at Karen's house when officers arrived to inform her Shannon had been located, recalls: "We were all bouncing about! We didn't know what would happen." ‌ The sole disappointment was that Shannon, who required police questioning, couldn't return home immediately. Remembering the youngster, Petra reflects: "Shannon was a pleasant, lovely girl to have around. Never any bother. She would play in the garden with her siblings. She never wandered far." A fortnight after Shannon was discovered, a relieved Petra went with Karen to the neighbourhood chippy to collect food for her family, where the sympathetic proprietor declared the meal was complimentary. Like other estate dwellers, the chip shop owner had been hoping Shannon - who purportedly didn't arrive home after being collected from school following a swimming lesson - would be located unharmed. ‌ For Petra, as a mother herself, she recognised what Karen was enduring represented every parent's greatest fear. And she was delighted when Shannon was found alive. She reflects: "It meant everything. No parent wants to think that their child is not going to come home." However, Petra couldn't dismiss the insensitivity of Karen's peculiar remark after receiving a complimentary chippy meal. ‌ She had already felt uneasy about how much Karen "liked the attention" of appearing in the media. She reveals: "She liked the fact that she could go into town, and everyone recognised her. People had sympathy for her and compassion, giving her hugs." However, she never suspected her friend of planning her own child's abduction and was heartbroken when she uncovered the truth. ‌ "She (Karen) didn't have a lot. But from my perspective her kids were clothed, fed and looked after. She was just like me, a mum." Petra shares, her voice filled with emotion. Even now, 16 years on, the betrayal still stings. Once a firm defender of Karen and her partner Craig Meehan, Petra even featured in a 2008 Channel 4 Cutting Edge documentary Shannon Matthews: The Family's Story, which offered an intimate look at a family grieving their missing daughter. ‌ Petra is seen reading a newspaper article, where Karen's parents claimed her children were physically assaulted by Craig. Outraged on Karen's behalf, she said: "I really hope I don't see your mum." Tragically, she had been entirely deceived by Karen and Craig, who were arrested 19 days after Shannon was found - a horrifying turn in an already shocking tale. Alongside a large-scale search for Shannon led by the Moorside community, West Yorkshire Police conducted an extensive search for the child, costing £3.2 million, involving more than 200 officers and three-quarters of all the UK's specially-trained police dogs. After ten days of no new developments, some media outlets began to delve into Shannon's background and her "disordered family life" with Karen, then 32, and her stepdad Craig, 22. However, these reports were labelled as "classist," drawing comparisons to the sympathetic coverage of Madeleine McCann's doctor parents Gerry and Kate McCann, nine months earlier, when she was abducted while they were dining at a restaurant. ‌ As time went on, it became increasingly hard for those who knew Karen to overlook her peculiar behaviour, given what had allegedly happened to Shannon. In the Prime Video documentary, local journalist Richard Edwards recounts a strange moment when he visited Karen's house to interview her about the search. To his surprise, she jumped out from behind the living room door, laughing, as if playing hide and seek. "I thought probably she was painting on a smile just pretending all was okay for the other kids at home. Maybe she was just pretending all that was okay for them," Petra comments on the incident. ‌ On March 14, 2008, Shannon was found alive, hidden in the base of a divan bed at the flat of Craig's uncle, Michael Donovan, 39, who was arrested on the spot and charged with kidnapping and false imprisonment. Tests on strands of Shannon's hair revealed she had been drugged with sedatives. Further tests indicated she may have been drugged for as long as 20 months before she was discovered. An elasticated strap with a noose on the end was discovered at the flat, which may have been used as a method of restraint. With it around her waist, Shannon would have been able to use the toilet and turn the TV on, but she would not have been able to leave the flat. During his arrest, Donovan - who died from cancer in April 2024, aged 54 - had shouted: "Get Karen down here! We'd got a plan. We're sharing the money - £50,000!" ‌ Karen vehemently denied the accusations. But another friend, Natalie Brown, was becoming suspicious. Eventually, Natalie - along with fellow Moorside resident and Chair of the Moorside residents and tenants association, Julie Bushby, who had put her life on hold to lead the community search - confronted her directly. Karen confessed she'd been deceiving everyone the whole time. She had known Shannon was with Donovan and had fabricated lies to friends, neighbours and the press - accepting everyone's kindness and concern. Karen was arrested and tried with Donovan at Leeds Crown Court. There, she withdrew her confession and told police five different versions of events. ‌ Karen and Donovan were found guilty of kidnapping, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice. Each was jailed for eight years. Shannon was placed in emergency social services care and later given a new identity. Petra says: "At the trial I still didn't want to believe that Karen had anything to do it "Even though she admitted it, I wanted to see if she would sit and admit it in the court. At the end, she still couldn't be honest. She lied and lied and lied. Is that because she thought she could get away it? Who knows?". Karen was freed in April 2012 after completing half her sentence. Despite grappling with her mate's betrayal, Julie questions whether everything Karen did stemmed from vile images on her partner Craig's computer. "Did Karen know? Maybe that's why she did what she did. To keep Craig away from her," she says. "Can we ever get the truth? I don't think we ever will."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store