Couple caught out by Facebook snaps after trying to claim £50,000 in holiday sickness scam spared jail

A former couple who claimed they fell ill on holiday have been spared jailed after being caught out by photos they posted on Facebook. Leon Roberts and Jade Muzoka, who have a child together, made false claims about their holiday in Turkey – but investigators discovered photographs of the couple lounging by the pool, drinking and eating dinner.
The couple from Derby, who are no longer together, were each handed a 26-week suspended sentence, after pleaded guilty to a single count of fraud at an earlier hearing. The scam could have cost holiday firm TUI £50,000 had they been successful and not been caught out, a court previously heard. Despite the pair discontinuing their claims before a penny was paid out, the company chose to prosecute.

But after being warned by a judge that they face the real prospect of being jailed, they were spared a custodial sentence.
Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court was told how Railway industry contractor Roberts, 37, of Holbrook Road, Alvaston, and fitness trainer Muzoka, 27, of Stenson Road, Sinfin, spent a week at the luxury Cornelia Golf Resort and Spa, in Turkey, in July 2015.
The following April, the pair submitted claims through their solicitor saying they both fell ill during their time away.
But investigators found images of the pair on Facebook.
Tim Hunter, prosecuting on behalf of TUI, said: "The facts are that the couple enjoyed a holiday at the resort in July 2015.
"The holiday went ahead without incident with no complaints about any undue medical conditions.
"Their social media entries made it plain they’d had a good time.
"But in April of the following year they claimed for damages against TUI claiming they both suffered illness because of the food they consumed.

"That was false and they did it deliberately trying to make a benefit for themselves."

But Mr Hunter said a claims investigator for TUI estimated that should the claim have reached a full conclusion the total loss to the firm could have been in the region of £50,000, or £25,000 for each of them. However both Roberts’ and Muzoka’s defence solicitors refuted the figure would have been anywhere near as high. District Judge Jonathan Taaffe said: "It would fly in the face of common sense for me to ignore the fact that a holiday company feel it necessary - because of a tsunami of claims - to bring a private prosecution." Mr Taaffe suspended both defendants' jail terms for 12 months, ordered them to undertake 200 hours of unpaid community work, and handed them a bill for £1,115 to cover court costs and a victim surcharge. Passing sentence, the judge hit out at solicitors and a doctor involved in preparing the bid for damages, claiming they may have encouraged criminality. He then told Roberts and Muzoka: "This was in my view a false claim from the outset. "Whether encouraged by solicitors or not, it is clear that both of you embarked on a false claim and were no doubt of the view that holiday companies are a soft touch. "It is in my view akin to perverting the course of justice. This is not a victimless crime - the costs of this type of false claim are massive."

Claims firms seeking "false" business should be deplored, Mr Taaffe added, telling the court: "They bear a large responsibility for suggesting, as in this case, that this was easy money and risk-free."
A relative of Roberts shouted abuse at reporters as he left court, while Muzoka exited the building without comment.
In a statement, TUI said the outcome of the case was a clear warning of the risks of making an exaggerated sickness claim.
The statement added: "Leon Roberts and Jade Muzoka now have a criminal record which will have a significant impact on their future.
"And it may not be the end of the story for them yet as the hotel where they stayed may well be considering bringing further action in Turkey.