"True love does exist"? Mum's Insta posts scrutinised in £83k alleged benefit fraud case

Tuesday 28 November 2023

A local mother's social media posts came under scrutiny in the Royal Court yesterday, as she faced accusations of lying about living alone in order to get more than £83,000 of income support.

Georgina Mason (39) has pleaded not guilty to charges of failing to notify a change of circumstances to social security, and receiving income support using false information, between September 2018 and October 2021.

Ms Mason failed to declare that her boyfriend had moved in with her and continued to receive income support by claiming she was single, Crown Advocate Luke Sette, prosecuting, told the Royal Court as her trial opened yesterday.

She was said to have told Customer and Local Services that she lived separately from her partner and that they had separated after the birth of their daughter in July 2019.

But the prosecution pointed to a number of Facebook and Instagram posts, shared publicly, picturing the defendant together with her partner and their child.

Pictured: The case is being heard in the Royal Court.

One of the captions read: “True love does exist."

Another said: “Peace while Daddy and baby are sleeping."

“The posts make it clear that the couple are engaged and operating as a family unit,” Advocate Sette said.

“Her social media established that she is a liar and the reason for her lies is simple: greed,” he added.

A health worker who had visited the home had written in her notes that Ms Mason lived together with her children and her partner, the court heard.

Advocate Sette said there were a number of reminders – both from CLS staff and on forms – that Ms Mason had to notify the services of any change of circumstances, such as, for example, if an additional person moved in with her.

Advocate James Bell, defending, pointed to a number of pictures on Mason’s Instagram, which he said were publicly available, showing Mason and her children without her partner.

“It’s clear that Georgina’s life entirely revolves around her children. It doesn’t revolve around [her partner],” he said.

Giving evidence in court, a Customer and Local Services Enforcement Officer said: “In isolation, this doesn’t mean anything. But when you put them together, it will be for the Jurats to decide.”

Advocate Bell further argued that in many of the pictures, Mr Page was wearing his work clothes, and that this was consistent with statements that Mr Page would visit his child when convenient – including after work.

Lieutenant Bailiff Jane Ronge and David Le Heuzé were sitting. Deputy Bailiff Robert MacRae is presiding.

The trial continues.