Benefit fraudster caught by romantic Instagram posts avoids prison

Tuesday 06 February 2024

A mum who claimed tens of thousands in benefit payments by lying about living alone – but was caught out after a number of romantic posts on social media – has avoided being sent behind bars.

While the Deputy Bailiff said that Georgina Mary Mason's could have been sent to prison, she was granted what her lawyer described as a "degree of mercy" to allow her to continue to work and parent her child.

As a result, the Royal Court imposed a community service order instead.

39-year-old Mason cheated the Social Security Department out of the money over a period of three years, the Royal Court heard.

Crown Advocate Luke Sette, prosecuting, told the court that Mason had at first been claiming income support legitimately.

But when her former partner, who was in full-time employment, moved in with her, Mason did not inform Social Security of the change in her circumstances – and went on claiming the full amount she was entitled to if she had lived alone.

Pictured: A trial took place in the Royal Court last year.

Crown Advocate Sette said it was not an oversight, as Mason was well aware of the importance of reporting any changes.

When she was interviewed under caution, she said that the pair were not in a relationship but engaged in "adult activities". She also confirmed that they had travelled to the UK together in trips paid for by the man's parents.

She claimed that her partner did not live with her, but that he would use her home as a place to keep things. She could not name an alternative address for him when asked, responding: "It's none of your business where he lives."

During Mason's trial last year, Instagram and Facebook posts were used to prove that Mason, her partner and their child had acted as a family unit. Those posts included the pair getting engaged, celebrating Valentine's Day, and a romantic scene including homemade fondue.

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

Mason also referred to the man as her fiancé, and was seen to be wearing a ring.

She was questioned by police again in 2022 and told them that he had proposed to her before but that they were "not engaged" and that she "would never marry him". She accepted she was wearing the engagement ring during the interview, but then said: "I don't wear it as an engagement ring... I wear it as... I've got a dad ring."

The total of the overpayments was calculated to be more than £75,000.

As the Social Security Department was unable to obtain confirmation as Mason's partner's total earnings and assets, the figure was calculated on the basis that the defendant was not entitled to any Income Support, so a precise overpayment figure was not able to be determined. The court was told that Mason had paid back more than £4,400 of the overpayments.

Crown Advocate Sette said benefit fraud had a greater impact on a small community than in a larger jurisdiction.

He said: "It is often described as a fraud on us all. It is too serious to merit a community outcome."

Mason has previous convictions for drug offences and a smaller-scale benefit fraud.

The Crown Advocate recommended a prison sentence of two years and three months.

Advocate James Bell, defending, asked the court to show “a degree of mercy” and requested a community sentence instead.

“There was no evidence of a lavish or extravagant lifestyle," he noted.

Mason is currently working and repaying the money, Advocate Bell added, stating that, "if Miss Mason is able to remain in the community, her job is safe".

The Deputy Bailiff – sitting with Jutats Jane Ronge and David Le Heuzé – said the “custodial threshold has been passed”.

However, he added: “You would lose your job, you would lose your accommodation and the only home your daughter has ever known.”

Mason was subsequently handed a 348-hour community service order and put on probation for 18 months.

Following the sentencing, Steve Jackson, Group Director of Customer and Local Services, commented: "Income Support is in place to help islanders in low-income households. It is important that islanders receiving Income Support update Customer and Local Services about any change in their circumstances which may impact the benefit they are receiving.

"The department has made it easy to update us on a 'change in circumstances' on a claim; this can be done online, by telephone on 444444, or by visiting Income Support in La Motte Street.

"Fraudulent activity is investigated by officers at Customer and Local Services, this case shows that any illegal activity regarding benefit entitlement is taken extremely seriously."

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