Travis James Hinitt: Man to spend time behind bars after driving stolen car

The father and serial offender was brought before the Warwick courts again only months after pleading guilty to a whopping $11,000 theft.

BEHIND BARS: The man will be eligible for parole in only a few weeks after pleading guilty to unlawful use of a motor vehicle. Picture: file

A father has been sentenced to months behind bars in the Warwick court after he was reported to police by an eyewitness for driving a stolen car.

Travis James Hinitt was traced back to a Toyota Hilux that was reported stolen at about 6am on October 19 last year and found abandoned later that morning with the key still in the ignition.

Warwick Magistrates Court heard police spoke to all nearby residents, many of whom stated they’d seen the 29-year-old behind the wheel.

Police prosecutor Steve de Lissa said one woman identified him at the scene from past run-ins.

“This witness stated she knew him as a local Stanthorpe person who had caused issues in previous businesses she’d owned,” he said.

“She had a conversation with him at the vehicle on that morning. She states he told her it was a mate’s car.”

Sergeant de Lissa said police caught up with Hinitt later that day, where he refused to take part in an interview.

Hinitt appeared in court via videolink after being sentenced to jail earlier this year for a string of property and drug crimes, including an $11,000 theft from Solahart Darling Downs.

Defence lawyer Amber Acreman told the Warwick court Hinitt’s offending was fuelled by a 15-year drug habit, with his current jail term serving as a “significant wake-up call” for him.

“He’s made contact since he’s been in custody with a number of rehab centres, but he’s unable to progress with that until he’s been released,” Ms Acreman said.

“He has made significant steps to re-establishing and rebuilding his relationship with his mother and sister … and he’s quite determined to have his children return to his care at least part of the time.”

Magistrate Julian Noud sentenced Hinitt to six months in jail, but maintained his original parole eligibility date on September 11.

Hinitt pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.