Latest news with #CondellPark
News.com.au
14-06-2025
- News.com.au
Kamal El Jamal issues apology after paralysing wife in shooting
A Sydney man who shot his wife and severed her spine, leaving her unable to walk, has issued an apology through the court, vowing to always make her feel 'safe, loved and cherished'. Kamal El Jamal fired several shots from an illegal firearm into the ceiling of his Condell Park garage, in Sydney's southwest, as his wife, Georgina Vlahos, slept in her bed directly above on January 12, 2023. She was left with no feeling below her spine and was told that she would never walk again. El Jamal pleaded guilty in February to recklessly causing actual bodily harm and using a pistol not authorised to do so. The 35-year-old cried in court last Friday as Judge Sean Grant sentenced him to seven years in prison, with a non-parole period of four years and three months. However, in a lengthy letter of apology to the court, El Jamal said he was 'committed' to supporting Ms Vlahos and 'creating a safe nurturing environment' for her. 'I want us to move forward together, not just to repair what was broken but to create a future that is full of love peace and happiness,' he said. 'I want us to make new memories, to laugh together, to experience life with mutual respect and to grow stronger as a couple. 'I want to be the man she can count on, the man who lifts her up and the man who helps her feel safe loved and cherished always.' El Jamal's 'one mission' was to spend the rest of his life 'making amends', he added. Ms Vlahos had previously written to the court requesting that El Jamal be her caregiver, saying she had 'forgiven' him. She had expressed wishes for El Jamal to reside with her, as she was now in need of 'significant' day-to-day assistance due to her ongoing injuries. Horrific details of how Ms Vlahos suffered the 'catastrophic injuries' were revealed in court documents. It wasn't until about 30 minutes after the bullet travelled through the garage ceiling, the floorboards of the main bedroom and the mattress of the bed and hit Ms Vlahos that El Jamal called out to a neighbour for help. The shots severed Ms Vlahos's spine and caused significant damage to her liver and spleen. She suffered a devastating spinal cord injury and was told she would never walk again. At the time of the shooting, El Jamal was 'significantly affected by drugs' and 'did not intend to harm his partner or anyone else', his Legal Aid barrister Ertunc Ozen told the court. 'Just found her like this' Court documents say Ms Vlahos told paramedics that she 'didn't remember anything' upon her arrival at Bankstown Hospital, and she 'could not feel her legs'. CCTV footage from the day of the incident shows El Jamal driving up to the ambulance bay in a Mercedes-Benz before stopping and getting out of the vehicle. He then approached paramedics and yelled 'help her, you've got to come and help her' before telling them he 'just found her like this'. While paramedics were tending to Ms Vlahos, El Jamal fled the scene on foot. He then went to a nearby friend's home to borrow a van that he said he needed to use to 'move some boxes'. El Jamal then used the van to load it up with the bed sheets and pillows from the crime scene. He returned the van to his friend with the items still inside. They were later recovered by police, and El Jamal was arrested at their home. The reasoning for firing the shot was not known, the court was told, and the pistol was never recovered. 'It is disturbing that the firearm has not been recovered and that it remains in the community,' Judge Grant told the court last week. El Jamal will be eligible for parole in April 2028.
Daily Mail
14-06-2025
- Daily Mail
The killers got the wrong man - innocent plumber John Versace. Now homicide cop reveals the twisted truth of what's going on inside murderers' heads as they remain on the run
They thought they had pleased their masters by ruthlessly gunning down a young man outside his western Sydney home... but the killer, or killers, actually got it very, very wrong. Innocent plumber John Versace, 23, was shot dead as he got out of his ute at his family's home in Dalton Avenue in Condell Park, in Sydney 's south-west, about 10.30pm on May 19. The shooter unloaded about 10 rounds of bullets, with Mr Versace suffering four gunshot wounds to his chest and stomach. He died at the scene. All evidence shows Mr Versace had done never done anything to spark such a ruthless act of retribution from the underworld. And those responsible - no doubt now aware they have made a big mistake - are still on the run almost a month later. Now a retired homicide detective with decades of experience investigating cases such as Mr Versace's sheds light on the possible motivations of the hitmen responsible and the fallout the killing would have caused in the underworld. Former Victoria Police officer Charlie Bezzina believes the 'hit' on Mr Versace was likely carried out by people on the 'lower end of the criminal sphere'. He said instead of feeling guilt over gunning down an innocent man, they would instead be playing the 'blame game' and claim that they were given flawed information. 'You're not dealing with professional people. You're dealing with low educated people and they accept what they've been told,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'These shooters would be highly strung and their angst will be so high that they shoot and ask questions later. 'They want to do the deeds for their masters and then, bang, bang. Let's go. That was him.... and then they find out later it wasn't him.' He said the shooters were unlikely to face any major repercussions for killing the wrong person, with the shooting only putting the actual target on higher alert - giving them time to flee the country and go into hiding. Mr Bezzina said those responsible for Mr Versace's death were unlikely to have done their due diligence to confirm the identity of their intended target. 'An undercover operative or a private investigator would have parameters of the law where they've got to prove the identity [of the target] but these guys don't, they're just flying by the seat of their pants,' he said. 'Have they got a photograph of them? Have they got a car number? Have they got a car? Have they got a specific address he's been put to? 'They're relying on other people to give them the right information. 'They'll say, "you gave us that information, and that's what we acted upon. So it's your fault. It's not our fault". 'So someone comes out of a particular location nearby that might look a little bit similar to the target... they thought that might be the guy coming out and that'll do.' Mr Bezzina said cases of mistaken identity were some 'of the most difficult' to solve as police rely on people to come forward with information. However, this can prove difficult when organised crime figures are subject to a code of silence and witnesses are too fearful for their own safety to talk. 'You've got to go in with your best case before you arrest people of this type. You don't want to go in half-heartedly, charge someone and then lose at trial,' he said. 'That's the thoroughness of these type of investigations, they would be doing everything within their legal power, to get the evidence, to identify these people. 'The frequencies of these incompetent criminals is a cause of concern for the police, and that's why if they've got the evidence, I can assure you, they'd be very keen to lay charges sooner than later.' Police told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday the investigation was ongoing but no further details could be provided at this time. Harrowing footage from a neighbour's CCTV camera captured Mr Versace's final moments on his parents' doorstep where he lived with his sisters. Security footage showed Mr Versace reversing his ute up the driveway and parking it very close to the garage door. As he exited the ute, a small silver hatchback, believed to be a Toyota Corolla, parked across the driveway of the home. The male gunman, dressed in black and wearing a face covering, got out of the backseat and approached the front of the house. 'Hey, hey, hey, hey, stop, stop,' a man is heard yelling before the gunman raised his right hand and opened fire with a Glock-style weapon. Police later received reports of a car, which police believe was stolen in December, about 12km away in Fairfield Heights. A handgun similar to a Glock-style pistol was found inside the vehicle after firefighters extinguished the flames. 'We believe that this has the hallmarks of a targeted execution. (It is) very brutal, very distressing,' Superintendent Rodney Hart told reporters at the time. Mr Versace's sister Deanne recently paid a heartbreaking tribute to her 'beautiful baby brother' - sharing powerful images and video of highlights of his life on social media.
Daily Mail
10-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Sister pays emotional tribute to little brother gunned down on his parents' doorstep in case of mistaken identity
The sister of a man who was gunned down outside his house in a case of mistaken identity has shared a touching tribute to her 'beautiful baby brother'. John Versace, 23, was ambushed as he got out of his ute at his family's home in Dalton Avenue in Condell Park, in Sydney 's south-west, about 10.30pm on May 19. The shooter unloaded about 10 rounds of bullets, with the young plumber suffering four gunshot wounds to his chest and stomach. Paramedics found Mr Versace slumped on the front driveway and despite their best efforts, they were unable to revive him. Sister Deanna Versace shared a touching tribute to TikTok on Friday with the caption: 'Until we meet again, my beautiful baby brother'. The video featured a carousel of clips of Mr Versace singing, dancing and celebrating various birthdays and life events with loved ones. Deanne wrote a touching tribute to her brother the day after he was killed. 'John, no words can describe the pain we are all feeling and will continue to feel for the rest of our lives,' she wrote. 'You were the world's greatest brother, son, grandson, cousin and friend. 'We are so lucky and blessed to have had the time we had with you but your life was cut too short. 'You did not deserve this. You're at peace and with Jesus now. We love you so much John. Our angel forever. This world wasn't good enough for you. 'Life will never be the same.' John's other adult sister, Bianca, described Mr Versace as 'our baby, our pride and joy, the most innocent boy in the world'. 'I have no words. This world did not deserve you. We're going to miss that smile that lit up every room, I love you so much my angel,' she wrote. Police told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday the investigation was ongoing but no other details could be provided at this time. The young plumber, who worked for his dad's company, had no known criminal history and did not have any known links to organised crime. The intended target is reported to be an organised crime figure who lives nearby in Dalton Avenue. It's understood members of Sydney's gangland underworld raced to the scene amid fears one of their own was dead. Harrowing footage from a neighbour's CCTV camera captured Mr Versace's final moments on his parents' doorstep where he lived with his sisters. Security footage showed Mr Versace reversing his ute up the driveway and parking it very close to the garage door. As he exited the ute, a small silver hatchback, which police believe was a Toyota Corolla, arrived outside the home and parked across the driveway. The male gunman, dressed in black and wearing a hood with his face covered, exited from the backseat of the car and approached the front of the house. 'Hey, hey, hey, hey, stop, stop,' a man is heard yelling before the gunman raised his right hand and opened fire with a Glock-style weapon. Aerial footage showed Mr Versace surrounded by paramedics trying to revive him metres from the front door as his distraught family watched on helplessly. Following the shooting, the gunman returned to the hatchback, which was last seen travelling eastbound on Dalton Street. Emergency services later received reports of a car, which police believe was stolen in December, about 12km away in Fairfield Heights. Police said a handgun similar to a Glock-style pistol was found inside the vehicle after firefighters extinguished the flames. 'We believe it was driven there, it was torched, and those offenders were there, then got into another car and left the scene. But at this stage, I don't have the details of that second car,' Superintendent Rodney Hart told reporters. 'We believe that this has the hallmarks of a targeted execution. '(It is) very brutal, very distressing.'
Daily Mail
06-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Man who left his wife with a permanent disability then dumped her at hospital is sent to jail
A man who shot his wife while she lay in bed and then dumped her at hospital has been jailed for seven years. Kamal Eljamal, 35, fired several shots through the garage roof of his home in Condell Park in Sydney 's south-west in January 2023. One of the bullets went through the mattress of the bed where his 37-year-old wife, Georgina Vlahos, was laying at the time. The bullet fractured her spine and ribs, leaving her with a permanent spinal disability. After shooting his wife, Eljamal drove her to the hospital and told staff that he 'found her like this'. He then returned home to clean the house. Eljamal pleaded guilty to causing grievous actual bodily harm and using a pistol while not authorised to do so on February 5. Ms Vlahos had forgiven her husband, but the injuries remained extremely serious. 'She will never walk again,' District Court Judge Sean Grant said on Friday. 'A message needs to be sent to the community that if you possess and use a firearm (unlawfully), you will be sent to jail for a long time.' When police arrived to search the property the day after the incident, they found several bullet holes around the house. Eljamal's pistol was never found. 'It is disturbing that the firearm has not been recovered and remains in the community,' Judge Grant said. Eljamal had previously been convicted for supplying illicit drugs and had a longstanding substance abuse disorder, the court was told. Since his arrest in February 2023, Eljamal has completed two stints in full-time rehabilitation therapy and spent time in custody. Judge Grant took his efforts to rehabilitate into account, but was unable to conclude he would not be before a court again. He maintained Eljamal should not benefit from the injuries he inflicted by receiving a lesser sentence to care for his wife. As a result of her spinal impairment, Ms Vlahos requires assistance to complete daily tasks including showering and using the toilet. But there were other people who had been, and could continue, providing her assistance, the judge said. Eljamal was ordered to serve at least four years and three months in prison. With backdating for time already served, Eljamal will be eligible for parole in April 2028.
News.com.au
06-06-2025
- News.com.au
Kamal El Jamal sentenced after shooting wife through garage ceiling
A Sydney man who shot his wife and severed her spine, causing 'catastrophic injuries', will spend at least four years behind bars. Kamal El Jamal, 35, fired several shots from an illegal firearm into the ceiling of his Condell Park garage, in Sydney's southwest, as his wife, Georgina Vlahos, slept in her bed directly above on January, 12, 2023. El Jamal, pleaded guilty in Downing Centre District Court in February to recklessly causing actual bodily harm and using a pistol not authorised to do so. Appearing in court for sentencing on Friday, El Jamal cried as Judge Sean Grant sentenced him to seven years in prison, with a non-parole period of four years and three months. Judge Grant said the shooting was a 'very grave example' of this type of offending, which involved 'a grave risk of death to another person'. 'The victim has no feeling below her spine … she will never walk again,' he told the court. The prosecution submitted that the victim suffered 'catastrophic injuries' and would undoubtedly require 'significance assistance in various aspects of everyday life'. However, Ms Vlahos had previously written to the court requesting that El Jamal be her caregiver and saying she had 'forgiven' him. Details of the horrific injuries he inflicted upon his then partner were previously read out in court. It wasn't until about 30 minutes after the bullet travelled through the garage ceiling, the floorboards of the main bedroom and the mattress of the bed and hit Ms Vlahos that El Jamal called out to a neighbour for help. The shots severed Ms Vlahos's spine and caused significant damage to her liver and spleen. She suffered a devastating spinal cord injury and was told she would never walk again. At the time of the shooting, El Jamal was 'significantly affected by drugs' and 'did not intend to harm his partner or anyone else', his Legal Aid barrister Ertunc Ozen previously told the court. Court documents say Ms Vlahos told paramedics that she 'didn't remember anything' upon her arrival at Bankstown Hospital, and she 'could not feel her legs'. CCTV footage from the day of the incident shows El Jamal driving up to the ambulance bay in a Mercedes-Benz before stopping and getting out of the vehicle. He then approached paramedics and yelled 'help her, you've got to come and help her', before telling them he 'just found her like this'. While paramedics were tending to Ms Vlahos, El Jamal fled the scene on foot. The reasoning for firing the shot is not known, the court was told on Friday, and the pistol was never recovered. 'It is disturbing that the firearm has not been recovered and that it remains in the community,' Judge Grant told the court. El Jamal's bail was refused during a hearing in February and he was remanded in custody. He will be eligible for parole in April 2028.
