Former AFL umpire Troy Pannell is set to be released from prison after coming to a resolution with police.
Pannell was expected to plead guilty to theft of a $45,000 Hyundai Tucson, theft of a $2000 mobile phone, and other driving offences at the Heidelberg Magistrates Court on Wednesday, but the hearing was adjourned until next week.
Just six days ago, Pannell’s previous lawyer declared that he was no longer representing his client, so Magistrate Timothy Hoare had to urgently call on a Victoria Legal Aid lawyer to help Pannell.
Pannell appeared in court via video link from Fulham Prison in Sale, wearing a green prison uniform and sporting a beard.
In June, he was airlifted to hospital after crashing his car into a tree on a country road in Victoria while fleeing police.
One of the driving offences Pannell will plead guilty to is failing to stop on police direction.
Pannell’s Legal Troubles
Pannell is also being pursued by his former employer, SeaRoad Shipping, who allege he defrauded them of over $8.7 million.
Police were chasing the former umpire after he failed to appear in Victoria’s Supreme Court at the start of June, missing a second scheduled court appearance.
Pannell was asked about his mental health and the prison conditions on Wednesday.
“I’m just in a cell in here,” Pannell said. “Not a psych facility. I’ve seen a nurse every couple of days.”
The magistrate also asked Pannell if he was at risk of self-harm.
“No sir,” was Pannell’s response.
During proceedings, Pannell said: “I just want the plea done.”
The Allegations Against Pannell
The saga started when SeaRoad Shipping alleged that Pannell had generated invoices to pay a company named Independent Container Surveyors & Assessors (ICSA) to repair damaged shipping containers, with each “repair” costing SeaRoad $800 to $900.
It is also alleged that Pannell had authority to approve purchase orders up to the value of $5000, and it was only when a finance manager noticed ICSA was not registered for GST that suspicions were raised.
SeaRoad alleges ICSA did no work to repair any containers and never checked the work had been done as it trusted Pannell to follow the proper processes of the company.
Pannell officiated 291 AFL games from 2005 to 2018 — including a controversial 2016 match where he awarded 17 free kicks to the eventual flag-winning Bulldogs and only one to Adelaide during a regular season game.