A Townsville couple's audacious attempt to fraudulently claim nearly $80,000 by deliberately sinking their boat has been exposed in the Townsville District Court, resulting in criminal convictions for both parties.
Fraser Reymond Cross, 33, and Rebecca Ann Buckridge, 31, orchestrated an elaborate insurance scam that involved intentionally submerging their vessel in an effort to secure a substantial insurance payout from Suncorp.
The Failed Maritime Scheme
The court heard how the couple's plan began to unravel when their insurance claim raised immediate red flags. Investigators discovered the boat had been deliberately sunk, directly contradicting their story of an accidental incident.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Tessa O'Neill revealed to the court that Cross had initially lodged the claim, reporting that his boat had sunk at the Town Common in May 2022. However, subsequent investigation painted a very different picture of events.
Courtroom Consequences
Judge Gregory Lynham delivered a stern message to the pair during sentencing, emphasizing the serious nature of insurance fraud and its impact on honest policyholders.
"Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime," Judge Lynham stated from the bench. "The cost is ultimately passed on to other insurance holders through increased premiums."
The court considered the couple's early pleas of guilty as a mitigating factor, but nonetheless imposed significant penalties that reflected the premeditated nature of their crime.
Sentencing Details
Cross received a head sentence of 15 months imprisonment, with the court ordering his release after serving four months. He will then be required to complete a two-year good behaviour bond.
Buckridge, who played a secondary role in the scheme, received a wholly suspended 12-month prison sentence. She will also be subject to a two-year good behaviour period.
Judge Lynham noted that while the attempted fraud was sophisticated in its planning, it was ultimately detected by vigilant insurance investigators, serving as a warning to others considering similar schemes.
