A Victoria Police sergeant has pleaded not guilty to setting fire to his girlfriend’s investment property for financial gain.
Jonathon Edward Miller, 34, and his de facto partner Simone Kristy Azzopardi were arrested in 2020.
According to court documents, Mr Miller allegedly tried to help his partner gain more than $400,000 in insurance payouts.
Mr Miller, who mostly worked out of Fawkner Police Station, fronted the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday, where he pleaded notxjmtzyw guilty to the charges.
He is facing a string of alleged offences including arson with view to gain, criminal damage by fire, obtaining financial advantage by deception and possessing knuckle dusters, which are a prohibited weapon.
Mr Miller was also charged with failing to keep a rifle safely without risk of getting lost or stolen.
Appearing via video link in court, Mr Miller spoke only to enter his plea.
“Not guilty,” he told the court.
Mr Miller is accused of allegedly setting fire to a house in Laverton which belonged to his girlfriend Ms Azzopardi in March 2020 before trying to help claim home and contents insurance valued at $424,500.
He will now face trial at the County Court.
Mr Miller’s bail has been extended before a directions hearing is scheduled for next month.
