Ashley Robinson in Rockhampton court for defrauding an insurer

A man has been jailed after obtaining more than $10,700 from WorkCover Queensland and then attempting to claim $1.7 million for a pre-existing injury.

Ashley Robinson.

A Central Queensland man has been jailed after obtaining more than $10,700 from WorkCover Queensland and then attempting to claim $1.7 million for a pre-existing injury.

Ashley Robinson, 53, pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on September 29 to one count each of defrauding an insurer and attempting to defraud an insurer.

Prosecutor Thea Hadok-Quadrio said $1.7 million was the single largest attempt the court had ever been asked to sentence.

The court heard Robinson obtained $10,737 from WorkCover Queensland between June 6, 2019 and December 2, 2019 and also caused them $4521 in costs.

Robinson then commenced a notice of a claim through Maurice Blackburn for $585,000 in June 2021, which was superseded by a statement of claim for $1.7 million in May 2022.

Ms Hadok-Quadrio said it was “significantly aggravating” Robinson was not content with the original $585,000 in his notice of claim, going on to file a claim seeking $1.7 million.

Ms Hadok-Quadrio said despite being confronted by doctors and the insurer throughout the claim, Robinson continued to lie.

She said when Robinson was told his claim was going to close, he said, “what do you mean? I didn’t have an injury before.”

Robinson’s solicitor, Sheridan Shaw, said it was a pre-existing injury exacerbated by her client lifting a steel door which then ruptured his bicep.

Ms Shaw said her client had a “legitimate injury and deformity in his lack of use to his arm”.

She said her client had not been working.

Acting Magistrate Paul Byrne sentenced Robinson to 15 months prison, suspended after serving five months in custody for an operational period of 30 months.

Robinson was also ordered to pay $10,737 restitution and $4521 in costs.

Originally published as Ashley Robinson in Rockhampton court for defrauding an insurer