Family jailed after holiday food poisoning lies were exposed on Facebook
Social media pictures revealed the family having fun on the waterslides and enjoying drinks at the bar.
A family who falsely claimed that food poisoning ruined their holiday were caught out after posting poolside snaps on Facebook.
Christopher Byng, 38, Barbara Byng, 64, Linda Lane, 36 and Anthony Byng, 66, all pretended to have a gastric illness in complaints lodged against holiday provider Jet2holidays.
The family, from Middlesbrough, claimed they had fallen ill following an all-inclusive break at the Paradise Lago Taurito and Waterpark, Gran Canaria, in November 2016.
They, along with two children, claimed to have suffered symptoms including stomach cramps, sickness, diarrhoea, headaches and fever as a result of food poisoning. Then they launched court proceedings, which were defended by their holiday provider.
But their deceit was revealed after Facebook pictures showed them having fun on the waterslides, swimming in the pool and enjoying drinks at the bar.
The family never mentioned being unwell online – but later alleged their holiday was ‘ruined as a result of illness’.
In a survey sent to the family by Jet2holidays asking for feedback on their stay, Christopher Byng apparently said he was ‘very satisfied’ with the choice, cleanliness and quality of meals offered.
He also said he would be ‘very likely’ to rebook with Jet2holidays within the next year. When specifically asked if anyone had been unwell on the holiday, he did not answer.
All four members of the family admitted contempt of court when they appeared at Teeside Combined Court on Friday. Christopher, Barbara and Anthony Byng were jailed for four months, but Lane walked away with a suspended sentence.
They must also pay a £20,000 interim payment in legal costs by March 26.
Sentencing, Judge Mark Gargan said ‘false claims for holiday sickness are all too prevalent’. The claims were ‘not merely a case of exaggeration’ but were a ‘complete invention,’ he added.
Jet2holidays CEO, Steve Heapy, said: ‘Issuing a false claim for compensation is fraud, plain and simple, and we have been at pains to warn people that there are serious consequences if they choose to do so.
‘Today’s ruling is the latest illustration of that, and it sends out a very stark message.
‘We will not hesitate to take action against fraudsters, and the courts will not hesitate to punish them.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.