The paedophile ex-boyfriend of Karen Matthews was beaten up by three men, a friend has claimed.
Craig Meehan was attacked just days after the BBC aired a drama about the kidnapping of his ex-girlfriend's daughter Shannon.
Meehan was convicted and sentenced to 20-weeks in jail for possessing child sex abuse images after police searched his computer while investigating the disappearance of nine-year-old Shannon in 2008.
The 30-year-old has been using an assumed name and living in a secret location following his release. He has been relocated five times since 2008.
Craig Meehan and Karen Matthews in 2008. Credit: PA
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But he was spotted by a group of men who gave chase and eventually caught up with and beat Meehan, the day before the first episode of the BBC drama Moorside was aired.
You can take a look at the trailer here.
Credit: BBC
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Meehan was never charged in connection with the abduction.
A family friend told the Mail Online: "He was just getting used to coming out again, going to the shops and the bookies - he was starting to get confident.
Credit: PA
"Now that he's had a thumping at one of the places he felt safe at, he feels scared and he's gone reclusive again."
Meehan was in a relationship with Matthews for five years before she was jailed over her part in the plot to kidnap her daughter with Meehan's uncle Michael Donovan.
The friend told the paper: "Craig was noticed despite wearing a hat and wearing his hair differently. He was followed by three thugs.
"At first he thought they were reporters, but then one of them shouted: "'Oi, come here', and they just went for him."
Meehan is reported to have suffered bruising to his face and had suspected concussion but refused to go to the hospital.
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police told the Mail that no incident had been reported.
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Kidnapping of Shannon Matthews
The controversial BBC drama follows the story of mum of seven Karen Matthews and the false abduction of her daughter Shannon.
The family lived on the Moorside estate in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire when they reported the little girl as missing; the search became a major missing person case with police and volunteers searching for Shannon for 24 days before she was eventually found.
Michael Dononvan. Credit: PA
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Shannon was found hidden under a bed at the flat of Michael Donovan, the 39-year-old uncle of Craig Meehan, who was arrested at the scene. Shannon was drugged to keep her subdued while she was held captive.
Matthews and Donovan had come up with the plan with the hopes of collecting the £50,000 reward offered by police to anyone who found Shannon.
Donovan was charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment and committing acts intended to pervert the course of justice. Matthews was arrested and charged with child neglect, kidnapping, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice. They were both sentenced to eight years in prison. Both have since been released.
At the same time, Meehan was arrested and charged with 11 offences of possessing indecent images of children. He was handed a 20-week sentence.
Featured Image Credit: PA