A Scots property mogul who set fire to three of his properties and attempted to claim £400,000 from an insurance company has been jailed for 13 months.
Michael Maggs, 52, was building three homes at a site at Earlseat Steading in Moyness, Highlands, when it went up in flames on November 29, 2017. Fire crews were scrambled to the late-night blaze and were able to extinguish the inferno, however two of the houses were left completely destroyed.
In order for Maggs to obtain insurance, he claimed that the site was well secured with fencing and CCTV and said that he was living there. A probe by Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue (SFRS) found the fire to be deliberate.
A fraud investigation found none of Maggs' claims were true. He was subsequently arrested on October 2 October, 2018, and charged with insurance fraud in connection to the fire.
He pled guilty to the fire and to deliberately trying to obtain a large insurance payment fraudulently at Inverness Sheriff Court. He was sentenced to 13 months in prison at Inverness Sheriff Court today.
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.”
SFRS Area Commander, Michael Humphreys, the Local Senior Officer for Highland, 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.”
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."
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