Footage has been released of the moment a killer stole a delivery driver’s van shortly before killing him by driving over it. Security camera footage later showed him fleeing 700 meters, with his victim trapped under the van.
Christopher Elgifari, 31, was found guilty of murdering and robbing Mark Lang, 54, as he delivered parcels on a Cardiff street on March 28. Mr Lang left the keys in the ignition of his Renault Trafic before leaving to abandon the car. package. Elgifari was seen running towards the van and jumping into it before speeding off.
He turned around at the end of the street and went back to Mr. Lang’s house. The heavy vehicle flew straight towards Mr Lang, who was trapped under the van and dragged for more than 700 metres. He died in hospital 17 days later.
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(Image: South Wales Police)
The defendant admitted manslaughter and robbery, maintained that he never intended to harm Mr Lang and did not intend to cause him any serious harm. But on Thursday he was found guilty of murder and robbery at Cardiff Crown Court.
The court heard how Mr Lang, a self-employed delivery driver for 15 years, was delivering parcels on Leytonia Avenue, near the Gabalfa flyover, at around 12.40pm on March 28. He left the keys in the ignition of his truck before leaving to deliver the package. Elgifari was seen running towards the van and jumping into it before speeding off.
(Image: South Wales Police)
Prosecutor David Elias KC said the street was a dead end and Elgifari swerved his car and crashed into a garden wall. He then turned to Mr. Lang, who was standing in the street, waving his arms and wearing a tall patterned jacket.
Describing the moment of the collision, Elías said: “The defendant hit him without flinching. Mr. Lang was shot in the middle of the neighborhood. He disappeared under the van. “The defendant continued his movement without thinking about the victim.”
Elgifari is said to have continued driving the van for a further 700 meters while Mr Lang was trapped underneath the vehicle. The van activated a speed camera and was traveling at 47mph in a 30mph zone before stopping at the intersection of North Road and New Zealand Road. When members of the public came to Mr Lang’s aid, Elgifari got out of the van and fled. Mr. Lang was unconscious and not breathing.
Lang died from his injuries 17 days after the collision and never regained consciousness. The victim was crushed, with severe head trauma and significant skin injuries. He died from a combination of traumatic brain injury due to lack of oxygen, traumatic cardiac arrest, and blunt force trauma to the torso.
South Wales Police released CCTV footage of the moment Elgifari stole Mr Lang’s van and drove along Leytonia Avenue, before turning into a dead end and returning. He then ran over Mr Lang, who was trapped underneath the vehicle. Images were also released showing the defendant entering a store to buy a pack of cigarettes, but unable to pay for the purchase.
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Source: Wales Online
John Cameron is a journalist at The Nation View specializing in world news and current events, particularly in international politics and diplomacy. With expertise in international relations, he covers a range of topics including conflicts, politics and economic trends.
