Murder victim's van 'involved in later crash'

1 November 2018, 15:33 | Updated: 1 November 2018, 15:34

Detectives believe a van seen leaving the scene of a security worker's murder was later involved in a crash before being found burnt out.

Mohammed Abu Sammour was found injured at a housing development under construction near Newarthill in North Lanarkshire at around 1am on Sunday.

The 49-year-old from Caldercruix in Airdrie worked as a building site security supervisor.

His work van was seen being driven away from the scene and police now say the Peugeot Partner vehicle with blue writing on the side was spotted in Claire Street in the nearby village of Newmains at around 1.50am, where it collided with a parked car.

Detective Chief Inspector David Pinkney said: "There were two male occupants of the van and they are described as white and in their early to mid 20s.

"I would be keen to hear from anyone who was in the vicinity of Claire Street or Newmains at that time and who may have seen that van to contact police.

"The response we've received from the public so far has been good, however, I would urge anyone who has any information regarding this van or these men to come forward to police if they have not already done so."

The victim was found injured at around 1am in Panmuir Crescent, part of a new housing development between Holytown and Newarthill.

He was taken to Wishaw General Hospital where he died a short time later.

The van was found burnt out on waste ground between the A723 and Burn Crescent, New Stevenston.