Footage shows murderer stealing delivery driver’s van before killing …
Footage has been released of the moment a murderer stole a van belonging to a delivery driver shortly before he killed him by running him over. He could be later seen on CCTV running away having driven 700m with the his victim stuck under the van. Christopher Elgifari, 31, has been found guilty of murdering and robbing Mark Lang, 54, as he delivered parcel in a Cardiff[1] street on March 28.
Mr Lang had left his keys in the ignition of his Renault Trafic before getting out to drop off a package. Elgifari was seen running towards the van and jumping in before driving off at speed. He turned around at the end of the street and drove back towards Mr Lang.
The heavy vehicle ploughed straight into the path of Mr Lang – who then became trapped under the van and was dragged more than 700 metres. He died 17 days later in hospital after. 
Christopher Elgifari, 32, has been found guilty of murdering Mark Lang after driving into him with his own stolen van (Image: South Wales Police)
The defendant had admitted manslaughter and theft, claimed he never meant to hurt Mr Lang and did not intend to cause him really serious harm.
But he was convicted of both murder and robbery at Cardiff Crown Court[4] on Thursday. The trial heard Mr Lang, a self-employed delivery driver of 15 years, was delivering parcels in Laytonia Avenue, near the Gabalfa flyover, at around 12.40pm on March 28. He left his keys in the ignition of his van before getting out to deliver a parcel.
Elgifari was seen running towards the van and jumping in before driving off at speed.
Footage of Christopher Elgifari stealing a delivery van belonging to Mark Lang in Cardiff (Image: South Wales Police)
Pprosecutor David Elias KC said the street was a dead end, and Elgifari turned the vehicle around, colliding with a garden wall in the process. He then travelled back towards Mr Lang, who stood in the road waving his hands and wearing a high viz jacket. Describing the moment of impact, Mr Elias said: “The defendant ran him down without deviating.
Mr Lang was struck by the middle of the bonnet. He disappeared under the van. The defendant carried on driving without a thought for his victim.”
(Image: South Wales Police)
Elgifari was said to continue driving the van for 700 metres, with Mr Lang trapped underneath the vehicle .
The van activated a speed camera by driving at 47mph in a 30mph zone, before coming to a stop at the junction of North Road with New Zealand Road. As members of the public came to Mr Lang’s assistance, Elgifari got out of the van and ran off. Mr Lang was unconscious and not breathing.
Mr Lang died as a result of his injuries 17 days after the collision, having never regained consciousness. The victim suffered crush injuries, serious head injuries and significant damage to his skin. He died as a result of a result of a combination of brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen, traumatic cardiac arrest and blunt force injuries to his trunk.
CCTV footage has been released by South Wales Police[5] which shows the moment Elgifari stole Mr Lang’s van and driving down Laytonia Avenue, before coming to a dead end in the street and turning back around. He then mowed down Mr Lang who became trapped under the vehicle. Footage was also released which showed the defendant entering a shop to buy a pack of cigarettes, but he was unable to afford the purchase.
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References
- ^ Cardiff (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ Speeding driver blamed man who hadn’t been to Wales in 50 years (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ Paedophile sent explicit picture and said sex like ‘kissing Harry Styles’ (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ Cardiff Crown Court (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ South Wales Police (www.walesonline.co.uk)