A Cobden district couple accused of obtaining St Patrick's Day fire charity by deception has had their charges dropped just days before the anniversary of the bushfires.
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Pamela Green, 59, and Keith Green, 64, of Mables Road, Glenfyne, were charged with obtaining property by deception following the March 2018 fires.
Prosecutors dropped the case in Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Thursday due to insufficient evidence.
Mr and Mrs Green told The Standard they were glad it was all over, that the truth had come out and they had been cleared of all charges.
The couple was accused of providing false information to the Uniting Church which was operating the Cobden fire relief centre.
People whose property had been burnt were eligible for donations of food, clothes, household and pet items.
Mrs Green told police she never advised staff that their property had been burnt but that food inside her fridge and freezer was lost.
Mr Green said their property was affected due to water tank contamination and loss of food due to electrical failure.
He said he could not remember being informed of the charity criteria.
In March last year police alleged Mr and Mrs Green visited Cobden's Uniting Church on four occasions and obtained food and goods estimated about $600.
Police said the couple's property was not burnt although fire got within 300 metres of their land.
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