Balloon hoax couple to spend time behind bars
December 24, 2009
The American couple who claimed that their little boy had flown off in a balloon earlier this year have both been told that they will spend time behind bars. The elaborate hoax which was nothing more than a publicity stunt sparked international concern as the couple claimed that their son was quite possibly floating across the Colorado skies in a home-made helium balloon. Much to the relief of all those following the story the couple’s son was later found ‘hiding’ in the house.
Richard Heene has been handed a sentence of ninety days but will only have to serve thirty of them in jail. The rest will be spent on work-release meaning that he will only have to spend his nights in prison. His wife Mayumi has been sentenced to twenty days but will also be allowed out to work. Mr. Heene’s sentence is due to begin in January and Mrs. Heene’s will follow her husband’s completed term.
The judge said that the elaborate hoax was all about the Heene’s making some money. The couple had hoped that by pretending their son had floated away in a balloon they would be in with a chance of landing themselves their own reality television show. The judge went on to say that the pair had exploited their own children as well as the media and the feelings of the general public by performing the stunt. In an added blow the couple will be expected to pay back the cost to the emergency services which could end up being in the region of $50,000.
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