Police welcome jailing of fraudster Highland property developer who set fire to building
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Police Scotland has welcomed the jailing of a Highland property developer who attempted to fraudulently obtain a £400,000 payment.
Michael Maggs (52), who previously admitted attempted fraud, was today sentenced to 13 months in prison at Inverness Sheriff Court.
Fraudster Highland building company boss is jailed
Maggs was developing three properties at a site at Earlseat Steading, Moyness, near Nairn.
In order to obtain insurance cover, he claimed that the site was well secured with fencing and CCTV and that he was living there. Neither was true.
Around 10.10pm on November 29, 2017, a fire was reported to emergency services and attended by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).
The fire was put out but two of the houses were completely destroyed.
A joint investigation involving Police Scotland and SFRS was carried out and the fire was found to be deliberate.
Following a lengthy and complex fraud enquiry Maggs was arrested on October 2 2018.
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."
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service area commander, Michael Humphreys, the local senior officer for Highland, said: "The consequences of deliberate fire-setting can be devastating. 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.
"We're pleased that our collaboration with Police Scotland and SFRS has helped to bring Maggs to justice."
