Magistrate Rodney Higgins defends decision to claim his young lover’s death benefits

A former magistrate has revealed the “whole reason” he is fighting for $180,000 following the death of his young lover, sparking a legal fight with the woman’s mother.

An ex-magistrate insists his relationship with a court clerk 45 years his junior was “true love” and he is entitled to her death benefits.

Rodney Higgins, now aged 71, defended his decision to claim Ashleigh Petrie’s $180,000 superannuation and life insurance benefits, even though she bequeathed the money to her mother.

Ms Petrie was 23 years old when she died after running in front of a car in Metung in October 2019, after a seven-month relationship with Mr Higgins.

Ashleigh Petrie’s relationship with Magistrate Rod Higgins was made public in 2019.

The fatal incident followed media reports about the couple’s engagement.

Speaking to A Current Affair on Monday, Mr Higgins claimed authorities believed he deserved 100 per cent of Ms Petrie’s death benefit.

The retired magistrate told the program he believed his and Ms Petrie’s seven-month relationship was true love.

Mr Higgins received his fiancee’s entire superannuation and life insurance payout, sparking a legal battle with Ms Petrie’s mother.

Mr Higgins on Monday denied he was “fighting anyone”.

Mr Higgins has spoken exclusively with A Current Affair almost two years after Ms Petrie’s death.

He said the whole reason he was involved in the dispute was because he didn’t like the “aggressive and intimidating manner” Ms Petrie’s mother’s solicitor had in their interactions.

An ombudsman panel will convene this month to review the legal dispute, with a decision expected in September.

Mr Higgins confirmed he had reconciled and moved back in with his former partner of 18 years – whom he left for Ms Petrie – after the 23-year-old’s death.

Their public relationship received significant scrutiny due to Ms Petrie’s age and the perceived power imbalance between the couple.

Ms Petrie was only 23 when she died.

The couple lived together in Victoria’s Gippsland region for several months.

As a magistrate, Mr Higgins earned $324,000 a year.

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