Latest news with #KamalElJamal
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.
ABC News
06-06-2025
- ABC News
Man jailed after shooting partner through garage ceiling in Sydney's south-west
A man will spend up to seven years in prison for shooting a gun through the ceiling of his Sydney garage and causing catastrophic injuries to his partner, who a court heard has forgiven him and now wants his support. Kamal El Jamal fired a bullet through a garage roof of a Condell Park home on January 12, 2023, which seriously injured his partner who was 37 years old at the time. El Jamal, now 35, has been given a maximum prison sentence of seven years with a minimum of four years and three months. The bullet, fired by the then 32-year-old, pierced through the garage ceiling, past the floorboards of the bedroom directly above, through the mattress and was lodged into his partner who was laying on the bed. El Jamal drove his partner to Bankstown Hospital shortly after. She suffered serious injuries to her chest, ribs, spine, and liver — causing paralysis below her spine. The NSW District Court heard on Friday she will never walk again. At the time of the incident, El Jamal claimed to paramedics that he "just found her like this", before he left her at the hospital and drove away. The firearm was never recovered by police. At the sentence hearing on Friday, the court heard that El Jamal has been caring for his partner, who has since forgiven him for causing her paralysis. Defence counsel April Francis said the woman, who needs assistance with daily activities like bathing and clothing, "is desirous of having the offender assist her with the state that she finds herself in". However, District Judge Sean Grant said El Jamal "should not benefit from the injuries he has occasioned." In a letter written to the court, El Jamal aimed to show remorse for his actions. The 35-year-old stated he was suffering "intense psychosis", and was "seeing and hearing things", which Judge Grant rejected as there was no evidence for these episodes. Judge Grant said if the firearm was volunteered to police after the incident occurred, it would be a sign of remorse. "A message needs to be sent to the community that if you possess and use a firearm you will be sent to jail for a long time. El Jamal had spent time in two rehabilitation centres since the incident, which Judge Grant considered during sentencing. He also said his criminal history, which included several drug matters and the contravention of an apprehended domestic violence order, disentitled him to leniency. Judge Grant said El Jamal had attempted to rehabilitate himself, but was "unable to conclude he will not be before a court again". He will be eligible for parole from April 19, 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.
