Romanian killer driver loses appeal against deportation

Rod Minchin, Press Association

A Romanian van driver jailed for killing a Team GB triathlete has lost an appeal against deportation.

Vasile Barbu collided with cyclist Rebecca Comins, 52, in June 2022, and was later jailed at Cardiff Crown Court for causing death by dangerous driving.

He had been driving an unroadworthy van which was also overladen when he collided with Ms Comins.

She was taking part in a time trial cycling event with Monmouthshire Cycling Club on the A40, near Raglan.

Barbu was appealing against a decision by the Home Office to deport him and took his case to the First-tier tribunal in Newport.

The hearing was told Barbu moved to the UK in 2002 and had indefinite leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme.

When he committed the offence, Barbu was running a pub in Pandy, Abergavenny, and since his release from prison is working as a chef.

Barbu told the hearing he had a wife and two adult children, as well as strong community ties.

First-tier Tribunal Judge Ian Boyes dismissed Barbu’s appeal and ruled he should deported as he retained “sufficient social, cultural and linguistic ties to facilitate his reintegration into Romanian society”.

“There is no evidence that the appellant is dependant upon his adult children, or that they are dependent upon him, beyond the normal emotional bonds that exist between family members,” he said.

“I am satisfied that those relationships can continue to be maintained through modern means of communication.

“I accept that the appellant has achieved a degree of social and cultural integration in the UK by reason of his lengthy residence.

“However, I do not find that such integration is substantial.

“On the evidence before me I am not satisfied that the appellant has demonstrated that he has fully addressed the causes of his offending behaviour.

“Given the seriousness of the appellant’s offending, there is a very substantial public interest in his deportation.

“I find that the decision to deport him would not constitute a disproportionate interference with his right to respect for private and family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

“The very significant public interest in deportation outweighs the appellant’s private and family life considerations.”

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