Brits ordered to pay up in Thomas Cook’s first win against fake holiday compensation claims

A BRITISH couple has been ordered to pay thousands to Thomas Cook after making fraudulent compensation claim from their trip to Gran Canaria.

Julie Lavelle and her partner Michael McIntyre demanded £10,000 (€11,276) after claiming they and their two children suffered from gastroenteritis during their stay at the Parque Cristobal Hotel.

It was revealed however that Mr McIntyre had six pints of beer in Las Palmas Airport before flying, and there was no mention of their supposed condition to hotel staff or tour representatives, according to Thomas Cook’s Lawyers.

The family have been ordered to pay £3,744 (€4,219) compensation within 28 days after Judge Juliet Herzog agreed the claim was dishonest.

Speaking after the hearing, managing director of Thomas Cook Chris Mottershead said:

“We’re pleased that the judge found in our favour. It’s not comfortable for us to be in court questioning our customers’ credibility, but the significant increase in unreported illness claims being received by the travel industry threatens holidays for all UK customers.

“This case follows an increasingly common pattern for these claims, with a previously unreported illness being raised years after the holiday with no medical or other evidence to support the illness having occurred.”