AusLeisure

An amusement business owner accused of insurance fraud and launching arson attacks on competitors has failed to appear in Court to answer charges.

Facing 10 counts of arson, Awesome Party Hire owner James Balcombe missed a County Court appearance yesterday (Thursday 2nd May) with Victoria Police now having issued a warrant for his arrest.

Police are now seeking the public's assistance to find the 54-year old.

In a bid to dominate the Melbourne jumping castle market, Balcombe is accused of inciting and paying two men to torch five rival businesses between December 2016 and February 2017.

The businesses - in Hallam, Tullamarine, Keysborough, Werribee and Warragul - were hit by a combined 10 fires, with one of those blazes allegedly causing $1 million damage, destroying dozens of jumping castles, along with a stretch limousine and a mechanical bull.

Police allege Mr Balcombe offered $2000 to his worker and other associates for every rival business that was hit.

He is also accused of having a shed on his Kangaroo Ground property set alight, in March 2017, in an attempt to divert suspicion away from him.

Victoria Police suggest he is often in the Mernda and Eltham areas, and is described as Caucasian with long grey hair, glasses and a medium build.

However, Police have struggled to find Balcombe in recent months.

He was due to face trial on 4th February but the County Court heard at the time that he had not met bail conditions for weeks.

Judge Mark Gamble asked Balcombe's lawyer where he was, to which defence counsel Sam Norton replied: "I don't know."

Efforts to track Balcombe down through his bank records, CentreLink payments, telephone tracking and call logs, and social media use had all been exhausted, the Court heard at the time, and family members had told Police they didn't know where he was. He hadn't left Australia using his passport.

Police issued a warrant for his arrest in mid-December last year after he had failed to have any contact with his solicitors since November.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Image shows Awesome Party Hire's sumo suit attraction.

Related Articles

24th January 2019 - Embody gym liquidation sees creditors lose $3.8 million

10th February 2018 - Melbourne party-hire operator charged with multiple arson offences against competitors

5th May 2017 - Closed Melbourne go-kart complex ravaged by fire

7th November 2013 - Police release CCTV of arson attack on Sydney trampoline centre

25th June 2013 - Play centre investigated over ‘sex party’ claims

24th March 2012 - Arson squad probes fire at Kwinana fitness centre

13th October 2011 - Vandals blow up Gumbuya Park’s giant lyrebird

---

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.