Southern Highlands and Sydney anaesthetist David Bell pleads guilty to domestic violence offences

An anaesthetist who worked at Southern Highlands and Sydney hospitals has pleaded guilty to a string of violent offences including threatening his partner with a cooking knife.

A prominent doctor held a Japanese cooking knife at his wife’s throat telling her “I am going to f**king kill you” in a string of domestic violence offences over three years.

David Bell, 41, fronted Picton Local Court on Wednesday where he pleaded guilty to 17 offences including five counts of common assault, five counts of stalk or intimidate intending to cause fear of physical harm, six counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and armed with intent.

He was originally facing 57 charges in total which included 11 counts of intentionally choking someone without consent but after his pleas of guilty, 40 of these were withdrawn and dismissed.

Court documents state that Bell is an anaesthetist who has been employed at Bowral and Campbelltown Hospitals and is on a six-figure salary.

They also detail the offences that occurred over three years starting in 2019 after Bell had been in a relationship with the victim for a few years.

Southern Highlands and Sydney anaesthetist David Bell pleads guilty to more than 15 domestic violence charges at Picton Local Court. Picture: Annie Lewis

The abuse outlined in the police facts started on June 3 of that year when Bell got angry with the victim as he believed the house was untidy and his dinner was not cooked. He began to yell at the victim, slam doors and cupboards and kick things, frightening his partner.

Then in May 2020, Bell punched his partner leaving her with bruises. A few days later, he slapped her in the face.

In April the following year, he punched the victim and a month later he pushed her onto the floor forcefully causing bruises to her thigh and buttocks.

The facts state that just a few days after this, the victim and Bell were returning from his parents’ home in the Blue Mountains when he told her she was being rude and threw McDonald’s food at her. Bell then began to drive in a fast and erratic manner leaving the victim terrified and begging him to slow down.

The behaviour escalated more on July 17, 2021 when Bell kicked his partner in the legs while she was seated on the ground. He then grabbed her by the throat and pushed her against a wall.

David Bell. Picture: Annie Lewis

Court documents show that later that same night, Bell threatened his partner with a Japanese cooking knife, telling her “I am going to f**king kill you”.

On August 26, 2021, Bell read messages on the victim’s smart watch and told her she better have a good lawyer as he would cut her off financially.

She said “don’t hurt me” and he said: “Why? Doesn't matter now, doesn't matter now because you have already told them that I am a violent prick and that I’d lie about it so I may as well beat the f**k out of you, so I’d at least have the f**king satisfaction”.

On September 26, 2021 the victim reported the matter to police after Bell had left their home in Mittagong.

Bell’s legal term advised they would be seeking a 14 application which allows a person who is charged with a criminal offence and suffers from a mental health or cognitive impairment to avoid a criminal record.

The matter has been adjourned to August 23 when, if the application is dismissed, Bell will be sentenced.