Lani Hilder, Clyde Shepheard in Qld Court for arson, attempted fraud

Charges against a BMW-driving Qld mum accused of burning down her house and trying to hit Suncorp for a $600,000 claim have reached the higher courts with a surprise change.

Lani Hilder, 29, has been charged with arson and fraud for the suspicious fire of a home she owns on Grubb St, Koongal.

A mother charged with burning down her home and attempting to defraud Suncorp of more than $600,000 did not act alone, police will allege.

Lani Jay Hilder, 31, is accused of deliberately torching a house, which she bought during an unpaid Rockhampton council rates auction.

The blaze destroyed the 252 Grubb St, Koongal home and Aboriginal artworks on August 6 in 2022.

She is further accused of attempting of fraudulently obtaining $606,978 from Suncorp Group Ltd two days later.

Mackay man Clyde Kayser Shepheard had already been charged for his alleged role in the suspected attempted fraud.

However, when Ms Hilder’s case was mentioned in the District Court on October 21, Mr Shepheard’s indictment with his single charge was dismissed and a joint indictment was presented with both now charged not only with the attempted fraud but also, arson.

The Grubb St, Koongal, property pictured on May 18, 2023.

The court heard both would be contesting their charges, but no pleas had been entered by Mr Shepheard.

Ms Hilder previously entered not guilty pleas via her lawyer during a committal hearing in the Rockhampton Magistrates Court in July.

Ms Hilder’s lawyer Anthony Kimmins told the District Court on October 21 that the trial was expected to run for five days.

“There will be a number of admissions,” he said.

The case has been added to the court’s running trial list.

Police will allege CCTV footage of Ms Hilder’s BMW and Mr Shepheard’s LandCruiser on the day of the alleged arson form part of the case against them.

The pair remain on bail.

Originally published as Lani Hilder, Clyde Shepheard in Qld Court for arson, attempted fraud