Five men who orchestrated a violent assault outside Bristol Airport that witnesses mistook for a terrorist attack have been sentenced to a combined 16 years and 10 months in prison, according to police.
Vladamir Stan, 52, Able Marin, 21, Florin Stan, 28, Constantin Stan, 29, and Emanuel-Ronaldo Dumitru, 27, attacked two men with bats following a deliberate vehicle collision on 21 February 2026. All five pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Bristol Crown Court on 28 August 2026, with sentencing handed down on 11 September 2026.
Detective Constable Charlotte Couch from Avon and Somerset Police described the impact on those present:
We understand the immense fear this incident caused, with witnesses believing at the time this was an active act of terror.
The assault left lasting injuries on both victims. The 21-year-old sustained cuts and bruises across his face and body, while the 37-year-old victim suffered knife wounds. One victim continues to receive physiotherapy as they work toward resuming normal daily activities.
How was the attack carried out?
The five men arrived at the airport in separate vehicles at approximately 08:30 GMT and positioned themselves near the passenger pick-up area, waiting for their targets to emerge. According to reporting on the incident, the group had planned the assault in advance. When the two victims entered their vehicle, the gang rammed their cars into it at a roundabout near the A38 entrance to the airport, then exited their vehicles and attacked the men using bats.
Detective Constable Ryan Hurt explained the severity of the incident:
This attack was a serious incident that was targeted and planned, occurring during a Saturday morning at an airport with no thought for anyone else including members of the public.
What were the sentences?
According to court records, Constantin Stan received the longest sentence at four years in prison, having also pleaded guilty to multiple shoplifting offences. Vladamir Stan, Able Marin, and Florin Stan were each sentenced to three years and three months, while Emanuel-Ronaldo Dumitru received three years and one month. Three of the defendants—Vladamir Stan, Florin Stan, and Able Marin—also pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon.
Why did the incident cause such alarm?
Judge Burgess noted that the attack generated
serious fear and disruptionamong other road users and holidaymakers at the airport. Witnesses interpreted the coordinated vehicle ramming and violent assault as either a terrorist incident or a car-jacking, prompting a significant emergency response. Detective Constable Couch noted:
There was a significant number of resources dispatched to this incident, that responded quickly and efficiently, mitigating further risk and securing the offenders at the earliest opportunity and a number of detectives involved thereafter.
Police confirmed that the defendants and victims were known to each other, and emphasised that they do not believe there to be any wider risk to the public. Detective Constable Hurt added that the actions of those involved have had lasting consequences:
The carelessness of those involved has had damaging physical and psychological effects on the victims one of which is still receiving physiotherapy and trying to return to living a normal everyday life.
Key Facts
- Five men attacked two victims with bats following a deliberate vehicle collision outside Bristol Airport on 21 February 2026
- All five pleaded guilty to violent disorder; three also admitted possession of an offensive weapon, and one admitted additional shoplifting offences
- Combined sentence of 16 years and 10 months handed down on 11 September 2026
- The defendants and victims were known to each other; police confirmed no wider public risk
- One victim continues physiotherapy for injuries sustained in the assault
