MP Troy Bell reveals he’s lodged an appeal and will remain in role as he fights to clear name

Last month, this MP was found guilty of stealing $400,000 from non-for-profit charities. Now he’s revealed he’ll continue fighting the charges and what his next steps in politics are.

An MP who was found guilty of stealing over $400,000 from multiple not-for-profit education groups has spoken outside court for the first time since his verdict, and revealed he has no plans to step down from his political role just yet.

Mount Gambier MP Troy Bell said he was “confident” in the process to come after lodging an appeal over his theft and dishonesty crimes, which a jury found him guilty of late last month.

On September 27, Bell was found guilty of 20 counts of theft and five counts of dishonest dealings with documents after more than two days of deliberations. He was acquitted of one count of dishonestly dealing with documents.

Troy Bell speaks to media as he leaves court. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

“The appeal’s been lodged now so we’ve got to wait until that process goes through,” Bell said outside court.

“Obviously I can’t talk about the appeal even though I’d really like to.

“I’m obviously very confident and very hopeful, but there’s a process to go through and I’m very respectful of that court process. There was a very difficult job that the jury had in front of them but I look forward to clearing my name.”

In reply to questions about his ongoing role in politics, Bell revealed he has no plans to step down, instead hoping to see through a major project in his electorate.

“We’ve got a lot to get through. There’s a Future Mount Gambier document we’ve been working on for a couple of years. I want to see that through to completion. The Future Mount Gambier 1.0 saw our region get over $100m of investment at the last election. This is the next stage of that so it’s really important that that work get completed, and I’m hoping to complete that on behalf of my community, but processes will play out.”

The MP says he still wants to see out major projects in his electorate. Picture: NewsWire / Roy VanDerVegt

In the District Court on Tuesday, Judge Rauf Soulio heard Bell’s counsel would need several weeks in order for a forensic psychologist to prepare a report about Bell’s mental health.

“We’ve been able to obtain a forensic psychologist but he is not available until the 26th of November,” Nick Healy, for Bell, said.

“He says from that date, he can have a report in eight weeks. I therefore ask for sentence submissions to be listed in February.”

Prosecutor Jemma Litster however urged Judge Soulio to set an earlier date.

“In terms of that date in February, that’s fourth months from the date of the jury’s verdict,” she said.

“I didn’t understand there to be any submission that Mr Bell was suffering from a significant mental illness.

“It is my submission that anxiety and depression aren’t matters that require a forensic psychologist to assess. Those are matters which are common to many defendants before the court as it relates to their proceedings.

Bell will return to court for further submissions in February ahead of sentencing later next year.

Outside Court, Bell said his mental health was a factor to take into account ahead of the continuing court process.

“It’s always tough, and anyone who goes through this type of process, you wouldn’t be human if you didn’t find it confronting and very difficult. I’ve always tried to front up and do the right thing, but it is a factor for sure.”

Originally published as MP Troy Bell reveals he’s lodged an appeal and will remain in role as he fights to clear name