Thief, 31, who stole van and ran over its owner found guilty of murder
- Mark Lang, 54, died after being hit by his own van in Cardiff on March 28
- Christopher Elgifari, 31, was convicted of murder and robbery by a jury
Published: 17:55, 23 November 2023 | Updated: 17:55, 23 November 2023
A thief who stole a van and ran over the delivery driver who owned it, dragging him for more than 700 metres, has been found guilty of murder.
Evri courier Mark Lang briefly left his van unlocked as he dashed to make a delivery on Laytonia Avenue, Cardiff on March 28 this year when Christopher Elgifari jumped into the driver’s seat in a bid to steal the vehicle. [2]
Cardiff Crown Court heard[3] that Mr Lang, 54, chased Elgifari as he attempted to speed away from the scene.
Elgifari, 31, then turned the van around at the end of the street, colliding with a garden wall, before driving back and hitting Mr Lang, who stood in the middle of the road in a bid to block his path.
Jurors heard that he then drove for at least 743 metres with Mr Lang trapped underneath the vehicle, before stopping at the junction of North Road and New Zealand[4] Road when it became stuck.
He hit speeds of 47mph in a 30mph zone, activating a speed camera in the area.
Christopher Elgifari, of Cwrt y Esgydd, Aberdare, admitted manslaughter and theft but was convicted of murder and robbery by a jury in a unanimous verdict
Mark Lang was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, where he died on April 15 after the incident
Mr Lang was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, where he died on April 15.
A post mortem revealed he died of brain injuries, traumatic cardiac arrest and blunt force injuries to the trunk.
Elgifari, of Cwrt y Esgydd, Aberdare, admitted manslaughter and theft but was convicted of murder and robbery by a jury in a unanimous verdict. He will be sentenced on December 1.
During the trial, Elgifari did not give evidence. He instead gave a prepared statement to officers declaring he did not mean to hit Mr Lang.
CCTV footage, which was shown to the court during the trial, captured the moment when Elgifari jumped into the van and the events that followed it, which helped police to identify and later arrest Elgifari.
Prosecuting, David Elias KC previously told the jury: ‘Mark Lang was only going to be a few seconds so left his van unlocked with his keys in the ignition.
‘As he stood at the door of the house to deliver, this defendant ran to the van and jumped in.
He drove off at speed down Laytonia Avenue chased by Mark Lang.’
He added that at the moment of impact, Elgifari ‘carried on driving without a thought for his victim’.
CCTV footage, which was shown to the court during the trial, captured the moment when Elgifari jumped into the van and the events that followed it
During the trial, Elgifari (pictured) did not give evidence.
He instead gave a prepared statement to officers declaring he did not mean to hit Mr Lang
‘The moment of impact is caught on CCTV – the van does not deviate’ he said. ‘Mr Lang was front-on to the vehicle facing the driver when he was struck.
‘Only the length of the bonnet separated the defendant and his victim. When the van ploughed into Mr Lang, the defendant, Christopher Elgifari, must have been looking right at him.
‘The impact occurred between Mr Lang and the centre of the bonnet. This was not a glancing blow.
Mr Lang disappeared under the bow. He was not thrown off to one side or the other.
‘We say the defendant is guilty of the cowardly killing of Mark Lang, a hard-working man simply trying to protect his and others’ property in the course of his job’, he said.
In a heartbreaking tribute, Mr Lang’s family said that he had been a ‘good man’.
‘It’s difficult to put into words quite how any of us are feeling’, the tribute read. ‘I don’t think we can ever get over something so brutal and ultimately pointless.
‘Our thanks go out to all the emergency services who did their best to bring him back to us, the people on the scene who rallied around him and called for help, and all the staff at the Heath who made sure his final days were comfortable and who worked tirelessly to help him and the family.
‘Throughout all of this it has been comforting to see so much love and support from so many people who knew Mark. Friends, colleagues, old teammates as well as customers and their dogs.
Elgifari is set to be sentenced on December 1
Evri courier Mr Lang briefly left his van unlocked as he dashed to make a delivery on Laytonia Avenue, Cardiff on March 28 this year
‘We’ve been inundated with nice words and if we noticed it we spoke to him about it.
Assume he was aware of your kind words and very happy to hear them.
‘Mark was a good man, with a lot of love to give. He passed in the early hours of the morning surrounded by family. Peacefully.
Comfortably. Loved. He will be sorely missed’.
In a statement issued after the jury’s verdicts, his family thanked the jury, police and Crown Prosecution Service.
‘We would also like to extend thanks to those who helped Mark, from the people who called 999 and held his hand, to the paramedics who assisted him at the scene and transferred him to Heath Hospital where he received tender and unwavering care from everyone on the critical care team’, they said.
‘The last few months have been traumatic for us as a family after Mark’s brutal, and ultimately pointless killing.
We now have to struggle to face life without him.
‘His partner now faces life alone, his daughters won’t have their dad to walk them down the aisle, his grandchildren will never know their grandad.
‘We will have to live through the memories we know he would have treasured if he were there with us’.
Senior Investigating officer detective inspector Rebecca Merchant, said: ‘Mark Lang was a much-loved partner, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend, who sustained fatal injuries while simply doing his job in Cardiff as a delivery man.
‘Christopher Elgifari made a conscious decision to steal Mark’s van and then drive it at speed into Mark, causing injuries from which Mark would never recover and changing the life of Mark’s family forever.
‘I recognise that nothing can bring Mark back or put right the events of that day and whilst the outcome today can never compensate Mark’s family for their terrible loss I do hope it will bring a degree of comfort to all those who love him.’
References
- ^ Gemma Parry (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Evri (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Cardiff Crown Court heard (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ New Zealand (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ New Zealand (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Evri (www.dailymail.co.uk)