Australian Bilal Kalache sorry for Gucci bag theft in Bali

An Australian man has thrown himself at the mercy of an Indonesia court, apologising for stealing a $1250 designer bag from a Bali duty free store.

Australian Bilal Kalache during the trial at Denpasar District Court in Bali. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro

Sydney man Bilal Kalache has apologised for stealing a $1250 designer bag from a Bali duty free store, saying he is very sorry and has learned the hard way.

Appearing in Denpasar District Court the 43-year-old told judges that it was only later, when he returned to his hotel, that he realised he had failed to pay for the Gucci bag.

Australian Bilal Kalache. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro

The $1250 Gucci bag. Picture: Supplied

Kalache was giving evidence in his trial, where he faces one charge of theft which carries a maximum penalty of five years jail. He has dispensed with a lawyer and is representing himself.

“At the end of the day it was my fault. It was my mistake, you know what I mean and I apologise for it, you know what I mean. At the end of the day it is my responsibility,” Kalache told the court.

Australian Bilal Kalache sit next to the translator during the hearing at Denpasar District Court in Bali. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro

Asked if he felt regret and remorse, he replied: “Oh yes.” And asked if he understood his mistake, Kalache told the judges: “Yes, yes 100 per cent. I am very sorry, very very sorry … I learned the hard way … I apologise, if I offended anyone I am very sorry.”

The prosecution alleges that on January 10 this year, Kalache stole a Gucci bag, valued at $1250, from a Kuta duty free store.

Australian Bilal Kalache, left, at Denpasar District Court for the trial in Bali. Picture: Lukman S.Bintoro

At an earlier court hearing Kalache denied stealing, saying he “forgot” to pay for the cream-coloured bag. He has also previously said that the duty free manager had told him he could pay at the airport later.

The prosecution alleges that the stolen bag was later found inside the luggage of his son at the airport. Kalache himself was not flying back that day.

Australian Bilal Kalache arrives at Denpasar District Court for his first trial. Picture: Lukman Bintoro

Asked last night why, when he got back to his Seminyak hotel and realised he had not paid for the bag, he had not attempted to return the bag, Kalache said his son was flying home and they were rushing and had only 90 minutes to get to the airport.

Kalache had been shopping in the store, inside Bali Mal Galeria in Kuta, with his son and a friend. He bought a black Gucci bag and a pair of Cartier glasses in the store.

Sydney man Bilal Kalache, 43, was arrested in Bali, accused of stealing a $1250 Gucci bag from a duty free store in Kuta. Picture: Supplied

The court heard that at one stage he had gone behind the counter and used the computer himself to input the information to pay for the black bag, which he was buying for himself. He had an average idea of the cost of such bags.

“I have got an average idea of what the prices are because this is the kind of bag we often wear in Australia,” he told the court in answer to a question about his knowledge of the prices.

He had paid using a debit card.

Australian Bilal Kalache. Picture: Lukman Bintoro

Previous attempts to mediate the case and reach a “peace agreement” between Kalache and the duty free store, failed. The store argued it was a high-end outlet and was not interested in settling the case.

The case returns to court on March 11 when the prosecution will deliver its sentence recommendation.

Australian Bilal Kalache during the hearing at Denpasar District Court in Bali. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro

Kalache’s court appearance came a day after another Australian, Sunshine Coast man Brendon Johnsson, was sentenced in the same court to five years and four months in jail after being convicted of cocaine possession.