Paul Kevin Shillingsworth pleads guilty to unlawful use of vehicle

A misunderstanding over a rental car landed a Childers footy player with a history of fraud crimes in custody, a Bundaberg Court has heard.

Shillingsworth thought he had enough in the bank to cover the extra four days use of the rental car.

A 32 year old Childers football player has pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a motor vehicle after he failed to return a rental car when his rental period ran out.

Paul Kevin Shillingsworth appeared in custody at the Bundaberg Magistrates Court in what Magistrate John McInnes called an “out of the scope” situation.

The court heard Shillingsworth had rented a Nissan X-Trail from Budget Car Rentals in January for a period of 10 days.

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However after the 10 days were over, the court heard Shillingsworth kept and drove the car for four more days.

A legal representative for Shillingsworth told the court Shillingsworth had every intention of extending the rental period but simply failed to do so.

“He kept the car four days longer mistakenly thinking he had sufficient funds on his card to pay for that time.

“I’d submit that it wasn’t a wilful attempt to retain the vehicle fraudulently,” he said.

The court heard Shillingsworth had a history before the courts, including previous acts of fraud.

Mr McInnes considered what was an early plea of guilty, and told Shillingsworth he would need to be more careful in the future.

“There is a fine line between fraud and not in these sorts of cases,” he said.

“If you had got permission to keep the car a little longer, there wouldn't have been any problem.”

Mr McInnes told the court Shillingsworth returned the car as soon as it was demanded of him and made attempts to pay.

The court heard Shillingsworth‘s card declined, and restitution was sought for the amount.

Shillingsworth was fine $350, with an additional $355 to be returned to Budget Car Rentals.

A conviction was recorded.