Man found guilty of holiday sickness fraud after ex-girlfriend dobs him in

A fake sickness fraudster from Manchester, whose scam was reported by his ex-girlfriend, has been ordered to pay Jet2holidays more than £6,000.

His ex provided video footage of him dancing to Gangnam Style by the pool during a time when he claimed to be suffering with stomach cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting.

Liam Royle, 23, of Eccles, was found fundamentally dishonest by District Judge Iyer at the Civil Justice Centre in Manchester this week, after Jet2holidays challenged his claim in light of the evidence.

Royle had demanded compensation after claiming he had suffered food poisoning whilst on a week-long holiday at the Papantonia Hotel Apartments in Cyprus in August 2015.

But his ex-partner, who was on holiday with him at the time, provided evidence proving the claims were a complete fabrication.

As well as the video evidence of poolside dancing, she provided photographs showing Royle swimming in the pool and enjoying the evening entertainment.

Evidence also showed he took a 15-minute taxi ride to Ayia Napa, where he walked around the shops and ate a McDonalds, and also drank beer and cocktails during the period he claimed he was ‘missing meals, excursions, swimming time and other general activities’.

Judge Iyer said: "Even applying the most rigorous test, I cannot avoid the finding that there has been dishonesty in his claim of sickness. A statement of truth was signed by Mr Royle knowing that it contained fundamental lies, and he gave incorrect information to his medical expert, and as a result a claim was issued."

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: "We have worked very hard to tackle the problem of false sickness claims and to protect holidaymakers against the risks of getting involved in such dishonest activity, but unfortunately there is a minority who think that they can get away with it.~

"This judgment shows that there are very real consequences to making false sickness claims, and Mr Royle must now pay the price. We would like to thank Mr Royle’s ex-girlfriend for her honesty, and although this is an unusual case, anyone making a fake sickness claim should be fully aware that we will robustly investigate and defend any claims that are dishonest or illegitimate."

ABTA CEO Mark Tanzer added: "Unsubstantiated holiday sickness claims cost the travel industry in the UK and our overseas partners tens of millions of pounds, as well doing great harm to the reputation of all British holidaymakers.

"Judges take a very dim view of claimants pursuing fake sickness claims and Mr Royle is just the latest to receive a hefty fine, others have even gone to jail. The vast majority of holidaymakers are disgusted by this dishonest practice, and cases such as Mr Royle’s send the message loud and clear to anyone tempted to pursue a fake sickness claim, that it simply isn’t worth the risk."

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