If this was a scam, as suggested, and the mother was in on it, can the step-father's uncle still be prosecuted for kidnap or abduction. These charges involve taking a child without the consent of parents. By arresting and charging the mother, have the police destroyed their case against the original defendant?

It's a very interesting situation.

I think all the charges will be ammended or added-to.

It just shows how the media (who branded him a paedophile, and could have encouraged vigilantism) have got it wrong again !

Original case will never get a conviction - because it is "beyond reasonable doubt"

You have highlighted the "doubt" part - so the CPS will surely drop the other case.

He may be charged on something else - if he was "in on it" then Perverting The Course of Justice and the olde chestnut "wasting police time and resources" may be the appropriate charges.

I wish all people who MAKE UP cases would be HIT with such a charge.

Those who file FALSE ALLEGATIONS which go to court and do not get a conviction should automatically be charged with PERVERTING THE COURSE of JUSTICE.

For too long now the POLICE have acted like this for the Benefit Scroungers in the UK. Time after time they have tried to scam the system - compensation payments for "abuse" are non taxable and very tasty to these people.

There should be a 5 year rule for allegations unless they are a group action arising from Local Authority care. This would stop all these ridiculous cases we read about it the press. The Police love them because they can hassle ordinary people rather than chase the nasty criminals !!!!

The police use the CICB payouts - which I believe are payable anyway, even without a conviction, merely on allegation ! - as "bait" to ensure that the "accuser" gets the story right !

I think you are fairly spot on with your comments but the police really deserve a real serve over this as in so many other cases.

They and their media units-like politicians, have just become slaves to the tabloids and pander to the lowest common demoninator.

They really just aren't acting professional by doing so-politicians are just whores needing to be re-elected-the cops don't need to be.

I have to admit JC you make a great point here.

The Times today - Karen "knew where the girl was" makes Michael Donovan's holding in jail absurd.

Or millions of kids being looked after by friends or relatives have been kidnapped.

WE ARE ALL GOING MAD!

There's no doubt the whole family are involved, though it is way down on my personal list of priorities of things to be bothered about, society is reaping what it sows. One thing has occured to me, the child-abuse pics apparantly on the computers of Baby-Face Finlayson, how easy would it be to plant such pics? I mean, perish the thought that the police would act immorally but let's face it, it's clear these goons were taking the piss - the police hardly need to do another thing, the public has made up their minds now about this shower and whatever their fate they will be spat on and attacked by their blood-thirsty peers for some time to come. There's already a booming trade in 'anti' facebook groups created by the finger-pointing great british 'angry mobs' especially regarding the 'nonce' Meehan, so the job has been done

It was nice to hear one of their neighbours promising to remain friends regardless of the outcome. I hope she keeps to that. It's so easy to crumble under pressure from the ignorant masses.