Woman Warned for ‘Deep Fake’ Vendetta Against Funeral Director
Mum-of-two Jill Glencross says anonymous online posts have devastated her life and business. The 2022 Cumbria Woman of the Year says AI-generated images and false stories spread widely on social media.
How the campaign began
The harassment began in September last year after Jill and her husband Russell ate in Carlisle. A photo of their parked car appeared on a Facebook page mocking motorists.
That initial post drew hundreds of cruel comments. Jill asked administrators to remove it, she says, but the post remained.
Escalation and fabricated images
New posts followed, including a picture of her car outside her workplace in Dalston. Supportive comments were later removed.
AI-generated images then appeared. One showed a crude depiction with a man in a builder’s outfit. Another showed Jill driving a hearse, with a coffin bearing the words “My career.”
Shares, messages and local spread
The false material was circulated anonymously across Carlisle. It also reached WhatsApp groups and a hospital worker, according to Jill.
She received anonymous hate mail and saw the posts reposted many times. She says the intent felt like a vendetta aimed at ruining her reputation and business.
Police action and out-of-court outcome
Cumbria Police launched an investigation after a report on January 13. A Carlisle woman in her 60s was identified as the primary suspect.
The woman was interviewed voluntarily and admitted sharing the AI images. She accepted a conditional caution and wrote an apology letter.
Authorities’ explanation
Police said the suspect had no previous convictions. They said an admission plus no offending history made an out-of-court disposal appropriate.
The force described the outcome as restorative justice. A subsequent complaint about the decision is under review by the Professional Standards Department.
Victim response and legal concerns
Jill lodged a formal complaint about the caution. She believes the matter should have led to prosecution, given the admission of wrongdoing.
She also says police never identified who created the original images. The woman given the caution told officers the images were sent to her.
Political reaction and new law
Markus Campbell-Savours, MP for Penrith and Solway, said he will raise the case with ministers and Cumbria Constabulary. He welcomed recent legislation targeting creators and sharers of malicious images.
Jill says the new law on ‘deep fake’ sexual images arrived too late to protect her. She wants stronger deterrents and for creators to be traced and charged.
Aftermath for the funeral director
Jill says the campaign caused severe emotional strain. She describes days when she could not leave home and times of extreme embarrassment.
She also stressed that she and her husband remain married and her business continues to operate. She said technology is being used to hurt people.
Filmogaz.com decided not to republish any of the fake images associated with this case.
