Shannon 'aunt' admits benefit con

Hyett helped the search for Shannon, who she referred to as her niece

A neighbour of abducted schoolgirl Shannon Matthews is facing jail after she admitted benefit fraud.

Amanda Hyett, 27, illegally claimed £35,885 in income support and housing benefit, Leeds Crown Court heard.

Shannon, now 11, was kidnapped and imprisoned for 24 days by her mother Karen and Hyett's uncle Michael Donovan in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, last year.

Hyett, the sister of Karen Matthews's ex-partner, Craig Meehan, referred to herself as the girl's aunt.

She admitted admitted four counts of making a false statement or representation to obtain benefits, one count of retaining a wrongful credit, and one count of failure to notify a change of circumstances.

Hyett, of King Edward Street, Thornhill Lees, Dewsbury, denied one count of making a false statement.

'Serious matters'

Her pleas were accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service and sentencing was adjourned until 5 November.

The Recorder of Leeds, Peter Collier QC, told her: "The fact I have granted bail and asked for reports is no indication the sentence will not be custodial.

"These are serious matters you had admitted. The likely sentence is a prison sentence."

Hyett was granted conditional bail and told to keep appointments with the Probation Service.

Shannon was held at Donovan's flat in Batley Carr, West Yorkshire, in a bid by Karen Matthews to claim reward money.

Hyett was a prominent figure in the search for Shannon.

She took part in candlelit vigils for the missing girl, gave television interviews and was a frequent visitor to the Matthews home next door to her own former property on Moorside Road, in Dewsbury Moor.