Mount Gambier MP Troy Stephen Bell faces District Court for sentencing submissions for $400,000 theft despite looming appeal decision

Motivated by greed, Troy Bell stole more than $400,000 from vulnerable kids – now a court has heard he deserves jail.

A “greedy” MP deserves jail for stealing more than $400,000 from at-risk kids for renovations and flights, a court has heard, and is facing bankruptcy.

Independent Mount Gambier MP Troy Bell, 51, faced sentencing submissions in the District Court on Thursday, which heard jail time would trigger a by-election, costing taxpayers upwards of $950,000.

Last September, after a three-month trial and two days of deliberating, a jury found Bell guilty of 20 counts of theft and five counts of aggravated dishonest dealings with documents.

He has launched an appeal and previously pleaded with Judge Rauf Soulio to delay sentencing until after a decision has been handed down,.

However, Judge Souio in January decided to take “hybrid approach” and continue with the sentencing process while the appeal was being held.

On Thursday, prosecutor Gemma Litster told the court Bell’s upstanding reputation within the Mount Gambier community “permitted the offending”.

Troy Bell leaving the District Court during his 2024 trial. Picture: NewsWire / Roy VanDerVegt

“It is my submission that the motive for the thefts was greed – a realisation of an opportunity to access funds and acquire them accordingly,” Ms Litster said. “A suspended sentence is outside the discretion for this offending.”

Bell’s offending, Ms Litster said, was “a gross breach of trust”.

Bell was found guilty of stealing more than $400,000 from the not-for-profit Independent Learning Centre and using the money on home renovations, flights to Los Angeles and to offset his mortgage.

In December last year, he urged Judge Soulio to delay sentencing until after his appeal is heard because if he is sentenced before, his seat in parliament would be vacated – triggering a by-election.

Nicholas Healy, for Bell, submitted if he was imprisoned prior to the appeal decision, “parliament’s hand would be forced”.

On Thursday, Mr Healy said his client had “suffered considerably” throughout his ongoing court appearances – paying “over $800,000” in legal fees.

He has appealed his guilty verdict. Picture: NewsWire / Roy VanDerVegt

“He’s had to sell all his assets, including his family home and investment properties,” Mr Healy told the court. “He’s had to take out various personal loans – he’ll be forced into bankruptcy if he’s incarcerated.

“Mr Bell continues to earn widespread support in Mount Gambier and the South-East area, and the reason for that is the amount of tireless efforts that he has put into his community and what he’s been able to achieve.

“In his time as a politician, he’s been able to make a very positive change to the Mount Gambier community as evidenced by the many character references provided for him.”

Mr Healy encouraged Judge Soulio to impose a suspended sentence for his client.

Judge Soulio adjourned the court and reserved his decision on sentence.