A Romanian man convicted of causing the death of a British triathlete has lost an appeal against his deportation from the United Kingdom. Vasile Barbu, 50, was sentenced to four years in prison in July 2024 following his conviction for dangerous driving at Cardiff Crown Court.

The incident occurred in June 2022 near Barbu’s home in Abergavenny, South Wales, when he collided with cyclist Rebecca Comins, 52, a member of Team GB. Barbu, who moved to the UK in 2002, denied dangerous driving at trial but was found guilty by the court.

During the subsequent immigration hearing, it was revealed that Barbu is married and runs a pub, where he lives with his wife and their twin children. Despite these personal circumstances, a First-tier tribunal ruled that the fatal collision “was not an accident” and highlighted that the vehicle involved “should not have been on the road.”

The immigration judge emphasized the “very significant public interest in deportation,” stating that it outweighed Barbu’s private and family life considerations. The decision reflects the court’s assessment that the circumstances of the crash warranted removal from the UK, despite his longstanding residence and family ties.

Barbu’s appeal against deportation was formally rejected, and arrangements for his removal from the country are expected to follow once he completes his prison sentence. The case underscores the balance courts seek to maintain between individual rights and public safety concerns in deportation decisions linked to criminal convictions.