Ute buried in insurance scam, police allege A QUEENSLAND man buried his ute in an enormous hole in his backyard so he could pocket $18,000 in insurance money, a court has heard. Police allege Martin John Dale used an excavator to bury his vehicle in his yard at Gordonvale, near Cairns. The 52-year-old reported it stolen in 2008 and allegedly claimed an $18,200 insurance payout after police found no trace of the ute. Officers say a tip-off from the public saw Dale charged with one count of fraud. His case was briefly mentioned in the Cairns Magistrates Court today. It was adjourned until September 16.