POUTRAGEOUS! Posing by the pool, sickness bug scammers who falsely claimed that they were poisoned by food at Spanish resort and have been hit with a £15k bill

Chelsea Devine, 21, and Jamie Melling, 22, from Liverpool, claimed food and drink at their resort in Spain had left them feeling ill for weeks

A COUPLE who tried to claim thousands in compensation saying they fell ill on holiday were caught out by their fun-filled holidays snaps.

Chancers Chelsea Devine, 21, and Jamie Melling, 22, from Liverpool, had claimed food and drink at their Spanish holiday resort left them sick for weeks.

However, a judge ruled the pair were "fundamentally dishonest" and ordered they pay holiday giant Tui a whopping £15,000.

The figure is believed to be a record amount for costs awarded against a fraudulent claim of holiday sickness in Britain.

Liverpool County Court heard the couple posted photos on social media of their all-inclusive stay a Benidorm's Levante Beach Apartments, reports the Mail Online.

The pictures showed them seemingly having a great time during their 10-day break in the sun during September 2015.

But then nine months later they submitted identical claims each demanding £2,500 in compensation - at a time when similar fraudulent claims have reached a new high.

The judge, Recorder Sally Hatfield QC, said of Devine and Melling: "I find that they have not proved that they were ill.

"I cannot accept that they would upload photographs of themselves as a happy couple if the holiday was as they claim.

"The statements are identical. They say that they did not collude, but it is clear the statements were not written by them. There are inaccuracies in them.

"I do not accept that they did not raise the fact of their alleged illness with the hotel because they were young and inexperienced."

The judge added there was no evidence to attribute any illness to the hotel food adding there was no evidence of contamination.

Tui said: "It’s disappointing we have had to go this far to defend our industry and hotel partners, as well as protect honest holidaymakers.

"The court has found they brought claims that are fundamentally dishonest and have been ordered to pay our costs.

"This goes to highlight the penalty you can face if you bring an exaggerated or fraudulent holiday sickness claim."

The couple have now been ordered to pay the money by Friday.