Van thief found guilty of delivery driver's murder

A thief has been found guilty of the murder of a delivery driver who died after being dragged hundreds of metres by his own vehicle as it was stolen.

Christopher Elgifari, 31, had denied murder and robbery but admitted charges of manslaughter and theft.

Mark Lang, 54, had left his van on Laytonia Avenue, Cardiff, to deliver a parcel on 28 March.

The courier was fatally injured when he tried to stop Elgifari from getting away.

A trial at Cardiff Crown Court heard Mr Lang, from the Cyncoed area of the city, had suffered head and crash injuries.

He was taken to the University Hospital of Wales and died on 15 April.

Emergency services were initially called to a report of a collision involving a single vehicle on North Road, Cathays.

Police enquiries discovered the vehicle was a delivery van which had been stolen from Laytonia Avenue by El Gifari.

Mr Lang had stood in front of his van in an attempt to stop El Gifari but he was driven over and dragged at least 743 metres.

The van was recorded travelling at 47mph by speed cameras on North Road.

It then came to a stop at the junction with New Zealand Road, when the defendant ran from the scene.

Mr Lang was critically injured and despite the efforts of medical professionals, he never regained consciousness and died of his injuries 18 days later.

El Gifari will be sentenced on 1 December.

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