Shane Robert Davis pleaded guilty to fraud, unlawful use of a vehicle before Kingaroy Magistrates Court

A car thief was using “speed, heroin and methamphetamine” at the time he took an elderly man’s vehicle and never brought it back, a court has heard.

Shane Robert Davis pleaded guilty to one count of fraud, one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and one count of possessing tainted property at Kingaroy Magistrates Court.

Telling his elderly victim he needed $80 to buy a pump for the man’s dishwater, a car thief who had taken a cocktail of drugs drove off in the man’s vehicle and never brought it back.

Shane Robert Davis pleaded guilty to one count of fraud, one count of the unlawful use of a motor vehicle and one count of possessing tainted property when he appeared before Kingaroy Magistrates Court.

After 30 years of committing crimes, landing Davis in and out of prison, the court was told he is now trying to “rebuild his life”.

The latest charges occurred in 2019 when Davis turned up to his victim's house, an elderly man in Nanango, who mistakenly thought Davis was there to fix his broken dishwasher.

Davis was an associate of the victim’s late son. It was not clear why Davis showed up to the victim’s house that day, but Davis attended to the dishwasher before asking if he could stay the night, indicating he had nowhere to sleep, the court heard.

The victim agreed and let him stay.

The next morning around 10am, Davis told the man the dishwasher needed a new pump.

“The defendant … requested $80 for the pump and use of his car which was a 2002 Holden Rodeo,” the prosecution said.

The victim agreed and gave Davis the keys to his car.

Davis then drove off in the car and never returned.

Shane Robert Davis pleaded guilty to one count of fraud, one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and one count of possessing tainted property at Kingaroy Magistrates Court.

Two weeks after the theft, police saw the stolen car and stopped it.

There were three people in the car who told police they had purchased the car from Davis for $600.

“They produced a receipt to show they had given money to the defendant for this vehicle.

The defendant was subsequently arrested,” the prosecution said.

It wasn’t the first time Davis had been charged with theft, with the court hearing he had a long list of offences dating back to 1992, the first being for the unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

He was also convicted of robbery and served five years in prison and was later convicted again for robbery and violence in 2009, serving two and a half years.

In 2013 he went to prison again for stealing and was fined in 2016 for stealing.

In 2018 he was convicted for the unlawful use of a motor vehicle and given probation.

“He breached that again by stealing a motor vehicle,” the court was told.

Kingaroy Magistrates Court. File Photo.

The prosecution requested Davis serve time in prison, however Davis’ defence argued because of his severe hip and health issues he should get probation or a suspended sentence.

“Once he’s had the hip replacement done, he won’t be walking for approximately six months,” the defence said.

The defence argued since the time of the offence, Davis has spent that time attempting to rebuild his life.

“He admits he was on drugs at the time of the offences, he was on speed, heroin and methamphetamine.

“He’s on medication for his mental health … he has spent three years trying to fix his life,” the defence said.

Davis was supported by family members who had driven him from Wynnum, where he currently resides.

“My client has stated again he is remorseful for his actions and has changed his life dramatically since that time,” the defence said.

The magistrate sentenced Davis to six months imprisonment, to be released on parole immediately.