Central Qld grazier Alexis Jean Hindmarsh in court for forgery after marriage breakdown

The Central Queensland woman pleaded guilty to two dishonesty offences relating to forging a document.

Alexis Jean Hindmarsh. Photo Central & North Burnett Times.

A Central Queensland woman has faced court for forgery which happened during her marriage breakdown.

Alexis Jean Hindmarsh, 29, pleaded guilty in Biloela Magistrates Court on November 24 to two dishonesty offences relating to forging a document.

The court heard that the informant in this matter was Hindmarsh’s ex-husband and that Hindmarsh, who had no criminal history, had forged a document to transfer ownership of a Toyota Prado from his name into hers.

Hindmarsh’s solicitor Teresa Adornato said Hindmarsh was a grazier who also worked as an administration assistant.

Ms Adornato said that Hindmarsh lived at her farm property, Mount Hindmarsh, 50km from Monto, which was gifted to her early last year by her father.

She said that after the marriage ended, the complainant left the matrimonial home with the couple’s two children.

“When he left, he did not tell Ms Hindmarsh when he would be returning,” Ms Adornato said.

“She had little choice of letting the children go with their father - she did not want to expose the children to arguments or dispute.

“But she had no physical support being a long way from neighbours.

“At that time Ms Hindmarsh did not know if the complainant would return the children to her care.

“When she called her daughter for her birthday, the complainant informed Ms Hindmarsh he would return the children in two days. He did not.

“He delayed returning the children a further two days.

“Ms Hindmarsh was anxious and scared. She didn’t know if her husband would bring the children back or not.

“She needed transport and in her heightened emotional state, she wanted the security of knowing that she had a vehicle.

“The reason she felt that way was because her husband insisted that all vehicles be registered in his name - not joint names, his name only.

“Even the car that was gifted to Ms Hindmarsh early in their relationship.

“He also informed her that they would have to sell all of the properties so that he could get half.”

Ms Adornato said in hindsight, Hindmarsh acknowledged that she should have sought legal advice about her rights and options going forward.

“She was simply reacting and not thinking.

“The Prado was used by Ms Hindmarsh and the husband left with the children in the HiLux he used.”

Ms Adornato said after a drawn-out, acrimonious negotiation the parties had settled their property dispute.

In relation to the criminal offences, Ms Adornato said Hindmarsh was “embarrassed, ashamed and mortified by her actions.”

“She wishes she had been stronger in herself and sought advice.”

Three character references were tendered to the court in support of Hindmarsh.

Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale said it was not surprising that Hindmarsh had no criminal history given what was said in the character references.

“You are not the sort of person that would generally expect to ever come before the court,” she said.

Ms Beckinsale placed Hindmarsh on a six-month good behaviour order with a $1000 recognisance.

No conviction was recorded.