4 days ago
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.
