Shannon Matthews aunt was placed in prison for a year yesterday when she admitted benefit fraud that was over £35,000. Benefit fraud is a serious crime and Mrs Hyett was given a prison sentence.
Shannon Matthews aunt wasted police time and distress to the many people who worried over this case. According to
24dash.com Amanda Hyett who is Shanon's aunt already has two children and claimed benefits fraudulently. What Hyett failed to tell authorities was that she lived with her husband who worked as a bus driver, Neil Hyett. When Shannon Matthews disappeared last year, Hyett aged 27 was an important figure in the case. Not only was she the sister of Shannon's mother Karen's past partner, Craig Meehan she also lived next door to Shannnon.
When Hyett was given the sentence she nodded slightly as though in disbelief. The fraud started in May 2004 when Hyett married, but did not inform authorities that they were living together. Mr Hyett admitted that for a brief time they tried to go legitimately, but failed due to them not being able to live with the money that they received. Three months later Mrs Hyett started claiming benefits again as though she was living on her own. The fraud lasted for about four years and in that time it amassed £35,885.27.
24dash.com has more details of this story.
