Paul Kevin Richard Shillingsworth in court for fraud

A fraudster who used fake Gumtree ads to steal more than $72,000 from 15 people later used a child as a “shield” after punching and stomping on a woman.

Paul Shillingsworth pleaded guilty and was convicted of fraud and assault occasioning bodily harm.

After defrauding 15 people of more than $72,000, a Maryborough man assaulted a woman and used a child as a “human shield” when police tried to arrest him.

Paul Kevin Richard Shillingsworth, 32, pleaded guilty to a number of charges, including fraud and assault occasioning bodily harm, when he faced Maryborough District Court this week.

The court heard Shillingsworth, a former star rugby league player in the BRL, had set up ads on online marketplace Gumtree offering various items for sale.

But while deposits were paid, the promised items were never delivered, the court was told.

In total, Shillingsworth defrauded 15 people out of more than $72,000.

In a separate incident, Shillingsworth was accused of punching a woman in the eye, the court heard.

He then kicked her and stomped on her, the court heard.

When police arrived, they claimed Shillingsworth tried to use the child “as a shield”.

He then struggled with the police officers who were trying to arrest him.

The court heard when Shillingsworth was on top of his mental health, he was capable of being a productive and useful member of society.

But because of underlying issues in his life, there were periods when he descended into drug use and gambling.

Judge Michael Byrne said the fraud offending had been committed over a period of about five months.

He said while it wasn’t particularly sophisticated, there was some thought put into it.

“That makes it worse for you,” he said.

Shillingsworth was charged with the fraud offences on May 7, 2021, and was on bail when the other offending happened.

He had been consuming drugs when he attacked the woman, Mr Byrne said.

During the attack, in addition to punching the woman in the face, Shillingsworth grabbed her, dragged her to the ground and ripped her shirt, before kicking her and stomping on her shoulder, the court was told.

“That is serious,” Mr Byrne said.

When police arrived, Shillingsworth was “using the child almost as a shield”, and the child was distressed.

In the course of that, as police tried to remove the child, he obstructed police.

Mr Byrne said Shillingsworth had the capacity to be a contributing member of society and noted he was suffering mental health challenges.

He urged Shillingsworth to steer clear of alcohol and drugs upon his release from prison.

Shillingsworth was given a head sentence of four and a half years in prison, with a parole eligibility date set for November 29, 2023.

The time he had spent in presentence custody was declared as time served.