Springfield Lakes’ Bryan David Chitty commits credit card fraud 16 times

A father-of-five has faced an Ipswich court after using another person’s credit card 16 times.

Bryan David Chitty outside Ipswich courthouse on July 1, 2024. Picture: Grace Koo

A Springfield Lakes dad was busted buying goods more than a dozen times with a stolen credit credit card, Ipswich Magistrates Court heard on Monday, July 1.

Bryan David Chitty, 46, was charged with 16 counts of fraud and one count of failure to appear in accordance with an undertaking. He pleaded guilty to all charges.

The court heard that Chitty used someone else’s credit card 16 times at various retail outlets in Springfield on June 10 last year.

The court was told that he kept the monetary value under $100 to use the tap method to avoid having to enter a pin.

Bryan David Chitty used someone else’s credit card by tapping 16 times.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Brad Dick said Chitty’s spending spree totalled $947.

“They all occurred on the same day,” he said.

He bought groceries, clothing, toys and household items, the court heard.

The court also heard that he failed to appear on November 10 and was found by police on December 23.

Defence lawyer Matthew Fairclough told the court Chitty was unwell at the time.

“He said he had an obligation to surrender as soon as reasonably practicable,” he said.

“Thereafter, obviously he didn’t do that and was picked up in late December by police.

“But it’s perhaps not quite as serious as some fabricated to deceive.”

Mr Fairclough also said Mr Chitty had five children, aged between five and 25.

Bryan David Chitty outside Ipswich courthouse on July 1, 2024. Picture: Grace Koo

Magistrate Dennis Kinsella said Chitty had previously battled substance abuse.

“There’s two big gaps in your criminal history which do reflect that involvement with illicit drugs and that being a motivator for offending,” he said.

“Your history, of course, is that to some degree (it’s) an aggravating feature but it is a double-edged sword.

“It does assist me in knowing that you are able to achieve significant periods of rehabilitation.”

Mr Kinsella sentenced him to four months’ jail, suspended for nine months.

He warned Chitty not to commit any offence in that time.

“Remember a lot of traffic-based offences carry imprisonment,” he said.

“Don’t get in trouble in that area either.

“All right, good luck.”

Originally published as Springfield Lakes’ Bryan David Chitty commits credit card fraud 16 times