Rebecca Jane Allan charged over fire fraud, refused compensation for court costs

The woman is alleged to have claimed more than $75,000 dollars fraudulently through bushfire grant assistance and tried to claim compensation through insurance.

Police arrested a man and a woman in East Lismore over bushfire fraud offences.

One half of an East Lismore couple accused of bushfire relief fraud has had their request for court costs compensation refused.

Rebecca Jane Allan and her partner Robert Allan are facing multiple charges relating to the fraudulent activity, including obtaining property by deception, using fraudulent documents and recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime.

The pair are alleged to have claimed more than $75,000 dollars fraudulently through bushfire grant assistance and tried to claim compensation through insurance.

Police will allege in court Mr Allan claimed he lost more than 3000 head of cattle during the 2019 bushfires and attempted to claim compensation through an insurance company.

In her Lismore Local Court mention on Friday, Ms Allan applied for a costs application through her solicitor Sharnay Louise Savage.

A costs application is typically awarded if the defendant is discharged, the matter is withdrawn, or they are successful at trial in being found not guilty.

To be successful, a defendant needs to show that the investigation into the alleged offence was conducted in an improper way by the prosecution.

However, Magistrate Jeff Linden refused the request and instead, progressed the 15 charges against Ms Allan for committal charge certification.

Ms Allen will appear before Lismore Local Court for further mention on July 28.

The pair previously had been banned from leaving Lismore or Casino and are not to enter any international airport or other point of departure from Australia.

Ms Allan remains on bail.