Insurance claim gone wrong.

- By Rebecca Cox, QUT Journalistic Inquiry court story. 2010.

A Moorooka businessman appeared in the Brisbane District Court yesterday charged with burning down his shop in attempt to claim money from an insurance company.

Ian Ernest King, 50, pleaded not guilty to setting fire to his Autopro business which burnt down in 2008.

Mr King then tried to obtain a sum of money more than $5,000 from insurance company Zurich Australia Pty Ltd the very next day.

He was charged with two separate offences for one count of arson and one count of aggravated fraud.

The Brisbane District Court was told it wasn’t Mr King who lit the fire but his close friend and work colleague.

Automobile dealer, Mr King, told Mr Peter William Foxe, a work associate to set fire to his property on 13 March 2008.

The fire then spread rapidly to neighbouring businesses Braithewaite Electrical, Budget Grocery Brokers, Chris Nessel Spray Painting and Lientage Investments.

Prosecutor Belinda Merrin told the Court that Mr Foxe will freely admit he set fire to the property from instructions made by Mr King.

Ms Merrin said that Mr Foxe would tell the Court he lighted the fire with numerous cardboard boxes.

Police and investigators later scoured the premises to find smoke alarms deactivated.

Investigators also found the only entry into the building was through a four-digit-code door.

Witness John North, Police Scientific Officer, said there was so much damage to the property it was possible it was either deliberate or an electrical fault.

Mr King was arrested in May 2008 and refused bail.

 Judge Botting stressed to the jury to not take into account any outstanding publicity previously said about this meticulous case.

“Regardless of what you know, leave it at the door.” Judge Botting said.

“You are all to assume Mr King is not guilty.”

Mr King’s trial is expected to go for an estimated of 5 days in front of a jury.

Me

- A profile written for QUT Creative Industries Peoples & Practices. 2010.

For most of my life, I have always wanted to be a part of a real adventure. Not just any ordinary adventure, but a real ambitious dream, something that swallows me up whole. An adventure is a path. But a real adventure is

            self-determined,

                                                self-motivated

                                                                                    and often risky.

It forces you to have first hand encounters with the world.

I was born into world after an extreme “birth extraction”, to be named

Rebecca Elizabeth Harriet Cox.

It is only till now that I understand and know who I am.

History

Growing up as an only child many people think the typical thoughts; I’m selfish, spoilt & loaded! If only this was true. Fortunately, I come from a huge family. My father is one of 9 and my mother is one of 5 so at the typical family events of Easter, Christmas and the birthday celebrations which occur every second weekend, I am glad to only belong to a small immediate family.

My mother grew up in a small country town called Waipukurau (don’t even try to pronounce it) which is on the east coast of the North Island in New Zealand. She teaches me still to this day to be organised. With vacuuming the house at least once a day, I know what it is like to live in a house run by the army, or Sergt. Hitler, should I say. 

After 12 long years of my hair slicked back with conspicuous amounts of hair gel, and pimples blooming around 10 years old, I graduated high school. I left feeling proud and accomplishing skills such as talented back scratcher, drama captain and coming third in the grade for Mathematics. I was accepted into Industrial Design at QUT, in 2008.

2009 arrived and this time last year I was sitting at a large desk with

                      $500 worth of colouring in pens

                                       over 1000 sheets of bleed proof paper

                                                    and a crushed reality, to realise that it wasn’t for me.

Current

I am beginning 2010, with an open mind to face new challenges.

My present career involves interacting with 70 year old pensioners who spend

all their money on gambling. Not the pokies or race horses but Gold Lotto. Yes, I work at a newsagency and my daily battle is seeing people waste their money. Don’t get me wrong, a few people do win but the odds are what, one in a million? More like 1 in a trillion million. What happened to their values?

Philosophy

When being asked what my values were, it is really hard to distinguish what you really value and what you wish you valued. I wish I valued money, yet I spend most of my pay every single week.  I do hope to have recognition, respect, praise or acknowledgement for my work, secure and stable employment and being loyal, committed and dependable.

Dreams

My dream is to work as a presenter on the famous travelling show ‘Getaway’.

Perhaps for myself to achieve this dream, I need to become a retired Olympian either in swimming or running.  I’m then guaranteed a job travelling around the world pretending I can present. 

Future

In 2011, I hope to have an international study exchange at the University of Florida.  Finally, graduating at the end of 2012.

 “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

I am obsessed with organisation and hope to effect people by my opinions.

Oooo La la.

I just discovered this new puppies! I can't wait till they come out.

Officially Gone Gaga

My first ever interview..

This is my first interview that I ever conducted in my first year of Journalism.

Boy have I learnt alot since then! Big thanks to Mrs Russo for her support and kindness towards this recording. I will always respect you.

Love

Put it before them briefly so they will read it, clearly so they will appreciate it, picturesquely so they will remember it and, above all, accurately so they will be guided by its light.--Joseph Pulitzer

A quick bite

Couldn't have had a better lunch day. For everyone who likes somewhere contemporary yet cafe style please try the cafe Spoon. There are plenty around Brisbane and they have cheap easy come meals with a relaxed atmosphere. Plus - what could be better than a Chai Latte on a Wednesday lunch time date with amazing girlfriends!