The mother of "kidnap" girl Shannon Matthews has shaved off her hair in jail - in a bizarre bid to avoid being recognised by other inmates.
Karen Matthews, 32, has become a hate figure at New Hall Prison, near Wakefield, West Yorkshire, as she awaits trial on remand on charges relating to the alleged abduction of daughter Shannon, nine, two months ago. The mum-of-seven - who is being held in the prison's segregation unit, where she is on suicide watch and is checked on every 15 minutes - fears she will be attacked and hopes that getting rid of her long ginger hair will make her blend in more.
Her mother June Matthews said: "I knew she wanted to change her image because she is scared other prisoners will beat her up - but I didn't think she would go that far. I thought she might just dye it. I can't imagine what kind of state she is in to do that to herself."
Karen faces charges of perverting the course of justice.
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