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A New South Wales cattle farmer who lost his property during the Black Summer bushfires has been accused of burning it down himself while his neighbours fought to save their own homes.
Darren Colquhoun lost his property in Barringella, near Nowra, in January 2020 during the peak of the Black Summer bushfires.
In the months following, the 60-year-old allegedly claimed six bushfire relief payments from charities, including the Red Cross and Rural Assistance Authority, and home insurance, totalling $600,000.
A year later, police raided Colquhoun’s property and allegedly found $500,000 in a safe.
He was charged with arson and fraud.
Police allege Colquhoun ignited the fire himself at his property instead of his home being destroyed by the Currowan firefront.
In closing submissions during the final day of his judge-alone trial, Colquhoun’s barrister said the Crown’s allegations don’t make sense.
“Is it logical to burn down, with a view to making a financial gain, a building which is underinsured?” his barrister, Tom Hughes, said.
“His contents weren’t insured. Why wouldn’t you remove your contents if you were going to torch your own property?”
Hughes also said it would be absurd for the judge to ignore the possibility the fire was caused by a dangerous mix of embers and unpredictable weather, urging for his client’s acquittal.
The judge will hand down his decision on October 4.
