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.