Wife killed, house torched in insurance scam

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29 June 2009

A Victorian man who murdered his wife and torched his house as part of a $180,000 insurance scam will spend at least 17 years behind bars.

Richard James Watson, 62, was sentenced last week by the Victorian Supreme Court to a 22-year jail term after being convicted on one murder charge and three arson charges.

His wife Anne, 48, was found dead in their Pyramid Hill home in July 2003 following a fire that destroyed the house and damaged a car and bus. Mr Watson later claimed more than $180,000 in insurance.

A police investigation found Ms Watson was strangled and stabbed prior to the fire while accelerants including petrol had been spread throughout the house and vehicles.

Ms Watson’s murder was not connected to the insurance claims.

The couple were in financial difficulty prior to the incident and it was alleged Mr Watson removed valuable items from the home prior to the fire.