South Australian state MP Troy Bell’s political career is over, with the independent forced to quit parliament after failing in his bid to have more than two dozen guilty verdicts for fraud and theft overturned on appeal. 

In September, a jury found him guilty of more than two dozen counts of theft and fraud, relating to the misappropriation of over $400,000 intended for vulnerable high school students.

The funds were instead used for personal expenses, including credit card payments and home renovations.

Today, Bell lost his fight to have the verdicts overturned on appeal.

“Obviously I’ll be standing down as the member for Mount Gambier and I’ll inform the parliament of that in the coming days,” he said, adding he was “disappointed” but “respectful of the decision”.

The resignation could trigger a by-election in Mount Gambier, with a decision to be made by Speaker Leon Bignell if one will be called just months out from a state election. 

Bell represented the electorate for a decade, initially as a Liberal Party member before becoming an independent after being charged in 2017.

He now faces a potentially lengthy jail term, but he and his legal team haven’t ruled out a further appeal to the High Court. 

A sentencing date is yet to be set.