Insurance-fraud pilot sent to jail

Howard Jamison leaves court in handcuffs. Picture / Simon Baker

A pilot who used a "virtually foolproof" plan to fake a plane crash and claim the insurance money may get to live out his jail term at home.

Howard Laurence Jamison, 46, told a dramatic tale of escape after claiming he had crashed his Cessna aircraft into the sea off Canterbury last July.

The story unravelled when his undamaged plane was discovered in a freight container six months later.

Yesterday, Jamison had to face up to the consequences of his fraud: an 18-month jail term handed down by Judge Michael Green in the Timaru District Court.

Jamison, whose family were in court to support him, showed little emotion as he was sentenced and led away by police.

The judge backed away from a stronger sentence because Jamison had given assurances he would pay back all of the $258,250 he owed in reparation, had a previously good record, had co-operated fully with the police and had shown "genuine remorse".

Jamison was given leave to apply to the Parole Board for home detention by a "very narrow margin".

The scheme Jamison put into operation was virtually foolproof and was only undone by an accidental discovery after a burglary at the premises where his plane had been stored, the judge said.

Jamison had had a reputation as hard-working and community-minded man but had come up with the elaborate plan because of financial problems.

"I accept you were driven to carry out this plan under great financial pressure," the judge said.

"It was not a spur-of-the-moment act. You are not the first, and you will not be the last who tries to defraud."

Crown prosecutor Ian Murray said Jamison's scheme was a calculated and premeditated fraud which had to be denounced by the court.

He had admitted his crime only after being caught red-handed.

Jamison's lawyer, Chris Robertson, said his client had faced serious financial problems related to his paragliding businesses in Ashburton, Auckland and Twizel.

"Simply, he had too much time on his hands to think and plan, and he formed the plan that brings him before the court today," Mr Robertson said.

"He is ashamed of his actions. He is ashamed about the disgrace he has brought to the aviation fraternity generally. Flying is his passion. He lives and breathes it on a daily basis."

Jamison had often helped his community, such as aiding police with aerial searches.