Warrnambool Magistrates Court.
A FORMER Warrnambool chef who torched his car four years ago in an attempt to claim insurance has effectively convicted himself by failing to pay compensation.
Mark Musolino, 32, previously of Loch Ard Place, planned to burn his car and claim the insurance money but has instead finished about $18,000 out of pocket.
He pleaded guilty in March 2009 to attempting to obtaining property by deception, making a false report to police and possessing prescribed weapons.
He was fined $400 without conviction and placed on a two-year good behaviour bond, as well as being ordered to pay $500 to the court fund and $4226.24 in compensation, comprisingmainly insurance, fire brigade and police costs. His burnt car was worth between $13,000 and $14,500.
But Musolino, now of Edgards Road, Lalor, failed to comply with the conditions of his bond and has been convicted of the charges, fined $500 — and again ordered to pay compensation of $4226.24.
Warrnambool Magistrates Court heard that in May 2007 Musolino bought a Ford Falcon and insured it through the Commonwealth Bank.
He moved to Warrnambool with his girlfriend 12 months later, but by August 2008 his finances were strained.
Musolino came up with a plan to burn his car and claim the insurance money.
He removed the car stereo system, valued at $1500, and took the car west of the Warrnambool RSL where he parked it near the railway line. He had kerosene and methylated spirits in the vehicle but backed out of setting the car on fire.
Musolino left the car parked just south of the TAFE building for fours days hoping it would be stolen, before returning on December 7 when he sparked a blaze.
The car was mostly destroyed in the fire.
About 5.45am on the day the car was torched police attended Musolino’s home where they found him fully clothed. He told officers the car should have been out the front of his house and admitted he had both sets of keys.
Musolino reported the car stolen and then put in a fraudulent claim to the insurance company. The following day police executed a search warrant at Musolino’s home and found the stereo and 16 swords in a cupboard.