A SCOTTISH property developer has pleaded guilty to burning down two houses in an attempt to claim a massive insurance payout.
Michael Maggs, 52, was sentenced to 13 months in jail at Inverness Sheriff Court on Monday for the attempted fraud, which would have netted him some £400,000.
Maggs set fire to three properties he was developing at Earlseat Steading, at Moyness near Nairn, on November 29, 2017, completely destroying two of them.
He then tried to claim money on an insurance policy he had taken out under the conditions that the site was well secured, had CCTV, and he was living there – which was untrue.
A joint investigation involving Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) was carried out and the fire was found to be deliberate, with Maggs arrested and charged with insurance fraud in connection to the fire on October 2, 2018.
Detective Inspector Reuben Lindsay said: “Maggs wove a tangled tale in order to obtain insurance for the buildings he was developing. He was economical with the truth, and has now pled guilty to causing the fire and deliberately trying to obtain a large insurance payment fraudulently.
“People like Maggs will not be allowed to get away with such fraud and I welcome his sentencing. No matter how long it takes, we will always work to bring those responsible for fraud to justice.”
Jon Radford, head of intelligence, investigations and data services at the Insurance Fraud Bureau, said: "Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime. It costs everyone and can even put innocent people at risk. We're pleased that our collaboration with Police Scotland and SFRS has helped to bring Maggs to justice."
SFRS area commander Michael Humphreys said: "The consequences of deliberate fire-setting can be devastating. Fires have the potential to cause serious injury or death, as well as extensive damage to properties and our environment.
"They are also a needless drain on emergency service resources. We continue to work with police and other partners to identify those responsible for these acts.”
