William Jethro Bell, 43, jailed in Wagga for armed robbery in drug deal gone wrong

William Jethro Bell, 43, of Bateau Bay, appeared in Wagga District Court on May 24 after pleading guilty to armed robbery using an offensive weapon, two counts of prohibited drug possession, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Court documents state that Bell and co-offender John Francis Murray, 47, of Cowra, went to the victim's house in South Gundagai in March 2017 to trade cannabis for ice.

After a verbal altercation about the drugs, Bell grabbed a metal pole inside the house and struck the victim, causing head injuries.

Bell then grabbed the cattle prod and zapped the victim.

Police arrived and placed Bell in a caged vehicle where he tried to dispose of the cannabis. Police also found cannabis in his car at the scene.

He also stole three mobile phones and a quantity of ice from the premises before being arrested.

Co-offender Murray armed himself with a knife and threatened the victim during the ordeal.

He was sentenced in May 2018 to four years and six months' jail for armed robbery using an offensive weapon, escape police custody and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

During Bell's sentencing, Judge Gordon Lerve said Bell's "substantial criminal history" did not entitle him to any leniency.

"The weapons found at the premises were capable of inflicting serious injuries," he said.

"This is the most serious matter for which the offender has appeared for sentencing.

"The offender ought to be aware that if he does not live a law-abiding life and if he were to continue to reoffend, he may find in the future that his record will be held against him as an aggravating factor."

Judge Lerve said that the offences were aggravated because they happened at the victim's home.

The judge also said the criminality in relation to both offenders were similar, with Murray receiving less time in jail because of his early guilty plea compared with Bell.

Earlier during the sentencing, defence barrister Roland Keller said Bell was remorseful, but Judge Lerve said that the remorse was based on the sentence assessment report rather than Bell giving that evidence.

Judge Lerve said there was "a glimmer of hope" for Bell based on him completing a number of short courses while in custody, as well as having an employment offer upon release.

Bell was supported by his fiance in court last Friday.

He will be eligible for parole in April 2021.

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