Rowan John Scoffin sentenced in Rockhampton Magistrates Court for fraud

A Central Queensland businessman fraudulently claimed more $22,000 from two major insurance companies and was dishonest to clients who had entrusted him with their watches and jewellery.

Rowan John Scoffin.

A Rockhampton businessman fraudulently claimed more than $22,000 from two major insurance companies and misled clients who entrusted him with their watches and jewellery.

Rowan John Scoffin, 52, pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on August 28 to seven fraud charges, two stealing charges, providing fraudulent certificate/information containing false particulars and operating as an unlicensed second-hand dealer.

Police prosecutor Sergeant David Longhurst said Scoffin made an insurance claim to NRMA Insurance in September 2019 and received $6749.58 for a large amount of household items that were allegedly stolen in a burglary at his residence on Melbourne St, Yeppoon.

Sgt Longhurst said while police were at Scoffin’s home on October 11, 2021 for a separate matter, they saw a Honda generator he had declared as stolen and were told by his housemate the burglary never occurred and Scoffin had never owned some of the items he reported as stolen, or they were still in the house.

Rowan John Scoffin outside Scoffin’s Clocks and Watches.

He said Scoffin had made an insurance claim to Elders Insurance and received $15,550 for a backpack with about $20,000 worth of jewellery from his business, Scoffin’s Clocks and Watches, that was allegedly taken in a burglary at his residence.

Sgt Longhurst said before Scoffin received the payout, a witness found a backpack under the front stairs of the house and told Scoffin.

The court heard five customers, whose jewellery was alleged to have been in the backpack, were not told about the insurance claim, did not receive any money or have their watches, rings or jewellery returned.

“The defendant omitted to advise Elders the backpack and watches had been found and omitted to return the insurance money to Elders,” he said.

Defence lawyer David Mills said his client, who had no criminal history, worked for 10 years in the Queensland Police Service and following that employment suffered post traumatic stress disorder and had a breakdown.

Mr Mills said his client later secured work with his father at Scoffin’s Clocks and Watches in Rockhampton and Yeppoon.

He said during the offending period his client was suffering severe mental and stress related conditions and he was self-administering alcohol during this period.

“It was a period of isolation where his shop was locked down, lack of patronage, no funding coming through,” Mr Mills said.

“My client is extremely remorseful and embarrassed by his conduct over this time and wishes to convey to the court and his customers that he is extremely apologetic and wishes to assist them in recovering all of their losses,” Mr Mills said.

Magistrate Cameron Press sentenced Scoffin to 20 months prison, wholly suspended for three years.

Scoffin was also fined $800 and ordered to pay $6749.58 restitution to NRMA Insurance and compensation totalling $11,490 to the several victims.