Ulladulla man Timothy Bell sentenced on 2019 charges

A car thief who stole vehicles from private sellers in 2019 has been sentenced more than three years after missing a day in court.

Timothy Bell was finally sentenced after failing to appear in Nowra court in 2019. Picture: From file.

A south coast man who failed to appear in court more than three years ago on theft charges has finally been sentenced.

Timothy Bell, 33, from Ulladulla appeared in Nowra Local Court on Tuesday via AVL on charges of stalk/intimidate with intent to cause fear, fail to appear in accordance with bail acknowledgment, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, drive vehicle with illicit drug present in blood, larceny, goods suspected stolen in custody and two counts of dishonestly obtain property by deception.

Bell had previously pleaded guilty to all charges.

After stealing cars from private sellers in 2019, Bell was granted bail once caught and given a court attendance notice.

However, when the court day came, he failed to appear and an arrest warrant was issued.

Agreed facts presented to Magistrate Lisa Viney said the failure to appear was a result of Bell being in custody in Queensland for another offence.

In 2019 he threatened his former partner over the phone after a family dispute.

The court heard Bell called her a “fat s--t” before threatening to jump on her head.

Later that year, Bell was caught driving with drugs present in his blood, driving while his licence was disqualified and stealing two cars.

Bell’s lawyer Hanna Dreher said her client did not flee the state after these charges, rather he went to Queensland for personal reasons and planned to return to New South Wales for court.

However, while in Queensland, Bell was placed in custody after he committed a separate offence.

“Mr Bell certainly hasn't been enjoying his freedom,” Ms Dreher said.

“He’s spent that majority of time serving custodial sentences in Queensland.”

Ms Dreher also informed the court of Bell’s genuine willingness to change his life, stating he has used the time behind bars in Queensland to reconnect with an old friend and reconnect with his now 18-year-old daughter.

“Since then, Mr Bell has returned to NSW, is employed and has been clean from drugs since he was released from custody,” she said.

“He has a relationship with his partner who has been a positive influence on him and he has taken steps to start a new life.”

However, it was during this time when Bell was finally caught by police on the 2019 NSW charges.

Bell was placed in Bathurst Correctional Centre where he has remained after being refused bail in January, 2023.

Timothy Bell appeared in Nowra Local Court via video link. Picture: File.

Despite this, Magistrate Viney said she would not consider the failure to appear due to his circumstances at the time.

“You can’t be in two places at once,” she said.

Magistrate Viney said she felt Bell was on the “right track” and rehabilitation would work.

“Despite your continued offending, I’m satisfied you can take the right steps,” she said.

“You’ve clearly spent enough time in custody.”

Bell was sentenced to a 12 month intensive community corrections order for the stalk and intimidate, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, larceny, dishonestly obtain property by deception and goods suspected stolen charges.

He was suspended from driving for three months and fined $600 for drug driving.

Magistrate Viney withdrew the failure to appear charge.