No time in jail after lovestruck fire fraud

AN infatuated grandmother who turned “a blind eye” to a house fire insurance job with the object of her unrequited affection has been spared a stint in jail.

Leanne Coleman, 56, was “heavily and irrationally influenced” by her feelings for a man she met through a childhood friend, when an agreement was made to torch the friend’s house in June 2016.

The man, who did not want to enter a relationship with the “emotionally infatuated” Coleman, agreed with the friend to make the fire look like an accident for insurance money.

On the day of the fire, Coleman saw the man she was infatuated with place clothing “dangerously close to the wood fire”, but decided to turn a blind eye. The trio then returned to Coleman’s house, with one of the men phoning the insurance company and making a claim.

The fire self-extinguished due to lack of oxygen but damage was estimated at $261,250.

Coleman pleaded guilty to one count of arson and one count of attempting to dishonestly acquire a financial advantage, but her lawyer argued she did not stand to gain from the fire and in fact suffered financial loss after being charged.

Supreme Court Justice Michael Brett said the arson was an extremely dangerous act and Coleman’s conduct was “blatantly dishonest” but she did not plan the fire or the fraud and became involved spontaneously.

Coleman was given a jail sentence of 15 months, which was wholly suspended provided she not re-offend and be subject to a probation officer’s supervision.