A Romanian national who preyed on elderly women in a 20-day theft spree across coastal NSW will be released from prison a year earlier than originally sentenced, after a successful appeal in Wollongong District Court.
Appeal and reduced sentence
Vasile Bombonel, 38, appeared before Judge Imad Abdul-Karim on Friday, one month after being sentenced on May 26 to a minimum of two years and five months. He pleaded guilty to 24 charges relating to offences between March 3 and 23, 2025, just days after arriving in Australia. The spree involved targeting women aged 50 to 90, using a distraction technique with another man to steal bank cards or cash. The court heard the pair netted more than $26,500 before being stopped by Australian Federal Police at an airport on April 8 as they tried to leave the country.
During the appeal, Bombonel, speaking through a Romanian interpreter, broke down in tears, describing a troubled childhood in Romania where his alcoholic father forced him to beg on street corners. He said his older sibling, partner, five children, and cancer-ridden mother depend on him. He claimed he came to Australia hoping to find work to support his family, but lost his wallet, failed to secure a job, and turned to theft.
Prosecution questions motive
Prosecutors challenged his reasoning, asking if he thought of his mother while robbing women older than her. “Yes I did and I’m very, very sorry for everything that I’ve done,” Bombonel replied, adding he was initially in shock. “I can’t say that I was in shock when I was doing the offences, but I really needed to find money and I wanted to help my mother with expenses for hospital and medicines.” Judge Abdul-Karim pressed Bombonel on his visa status, noting he had only a visitor visa but intended to work. “You intended to work despite being on a visitor visa?” the judge asked. “Yes,” Bombonel confirmed.
The defence argued that the original sentence did not match the crimes, pointing out that Bombonel received three months for each of nine stealing offences, despite amounts ranging from $5.60 to $6,000. They requested a reduction not based on hardship but to better reflect the offending.
Judge's decision
Judge Abdul-Karim expressed “difficulty accepting his motive” and said Bombonel likely came to Australia to commit crimes and “enrich himself.” He noted that Bombonel’s mother’s treatment was not affected by financial hardship, as his partner and brother were working to care for her. However, the judge accepted the defence’s argument and lowered the non-parole period to 18 months, backdated to his arrest. This means Bombonel could be released as early as October 7, 2027, instead of the original October 2028.
“Thank you,” Bombonel repeated joyfully while weeping and making the sign of the cross. He still faces an extradition hearing to Queensland for other alleged crimes.
