'I'm a changed man': Australian released from Bali custody
An Australian tradesman insists he's a new person, lucky to walk free from Bali police custody after compensating the taxi driver he was accused of bashing.
Tore Bempasciuto was released after eight "pretty rough" days in Kuta police lock-up and is now urging other Aussies to "be smart" while visiting the holiday island.
"It's a life lesson that's for sure and I'm a changed man," Mr Bempasciuto said.
Tore Bempasciuto walks free from Bali prison. 9News
"I can't express how sorry I am to the government, police and my victim.
"I realise my actions were wrong, learned the hard way and never again that's for sure."
The 23-year-old happened to be freed on his mother's birthday, the pair along with Mr Bempasciuto's father and cousin sharing a celebratory cake.
The family had made an urgent dash to Bali after the Perth mechanical fitter's arrest.
Tore Bempasciuto moments after being released from a Bali prison. 9News
"My wish came true, my wish came true," mother Pat Bempasciuto said through happy tears.
"I was praying and wishing for the last week."
Kuta police decided to release the Aussie after he struck a 'peace agreement' and compensated taxi driver Saiful Nurokhim for medical expenses and loss of work.
Mr Bempasciuto was accused of head-butting and punching the cabbie, who he dwarfs in size, because he wrongly thought he'd stolen his mobile phone.
Bempasciuto was surrounded by emotional family members after reuniting with them following his release. 9News
He then attempted to hide from police in a convenience store's third-floor storage room.
Dodging a maximum penalty of up to almost three years in an Indonesian prison, his freedom was negotiated by the same lawyers who secured NRL star David Fifita's release.
"Today's really happy for us," Muhammad Rifan from Austrindo Law said.
"He can learn from this situation.
"If you do some silly things you welcome in the hell."
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