A Romanian van driver who was jailed for killing Team GB triathlete Rebecca Comins during a road race has lost his legal challenge against deportation from the UK.

Fifty-year-old Vasile Barbu was sentenced to four years in prison and disqualified from driving for four years after being convicted of causing death by dangerous driving. Following his conviction, he appealed against a deportation order, arguing that his removal would breach his right to a private and family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

An immigration tribunal heard that Barbu moved to the UK in 2022 to work as a pub chef before going on to own the bar. He married a Romanian woman in 2004 and had twins, telling the tribunal that he identified closely with British traditions and culture and regarded the UK as his permanent home.

However, Immigration Judge Ian Boyes dismissed the appeal, ruling that the public interest in Barbu's deportation outweighed his family considerations. Judge Boyes emphasised that the collision was not an accident or a slight misjudgement, noting: "It was committed using a vehicle which should not have been on the road. It was overladen and deficient. These matters compound the nature and seriousness of the offending."

The judge added: "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 ECHR. The very significant public interest in deportation outweighs the appellant's private and family life considerations. Accordingly, I conclude that deportation would not breach the United Kingdom's obligations under Article 8 ECHR."

The fatal collision occurred in June 2022 during a cycling time trial organised by local club Monmouthshire Wheelers. The event was taking place on the A40 dual carriageway near Raglan in South Wales, where cyclists were setting off at one-minute intervals with warning signs clearly displayed along the route.

Cardiff Crown Court previously heard that Mrs Comins, a 52-year-old mother of two, was riding properly on a long, straight stretch of road with a bright flashing rear light. Police collision investigators calculated that she was clearly visible for at least 18 seconds before the crash. Despite the outside lane of the dual carriageway being completely clear, Barbu failed to steer around her and struck her directly from behind.

Barbu told police he had not realised he hit anyone, claiming he assumed the noise of the impact was a parcel falling inside his vehicle. Although he admitted causing death by careless driving, he denied dangerous driving. Prosecutor James Wilson told the court that Barbu had ample time and space to pass safely, describing his actions as a gross, catastrophic failure rather than a momentary loss of concentration.

Mrs Comins was a highly accomplished competitor who held the Vintage Veteran Champion title in the Welsh Triathlon Super Series at the time of her death, having represented Wales just days before the collision. Welsh Triathlon paid tribute to her as a "fierce competitor" with infectious positivity, highlighting her appearances for the Great Britain Age Group Team at European and World Championship events.

With the tribunal's decision upholding the deportation order, the process to remove Barbu from the country stands alongside his custodial sentence. I'll be following this one — check back for updates.