Court hears murder accused told friend he'd ran over security supervisor

A murder accused told a friend he thought he had reversed over security supervisor Mohammed Abu Sammour before driving off in his works van, a court heard.

18.year-old Connor Payling a warehouseman was giving evidence at the trial of Scott Pearson, 22, who denies murdering security supervisor Mohammed Abu Sammour , who worked for Osprey, at the Torrance Gardens housing development in Newarthill, Lanarkshire, on October 28, last year.

It is alleged that Pearson, while acting with two others, repeatedly punched and kicked 49-year-old dad-of-four Mr Sammour, from Airdrie, knocked him to the ground rendering him unconscious, then kicked and stamped on his head before reversing his works van over him.

Mr Payling, who has been a friend of Pearson for most of his life told the High Court in Glasgow that some time between 2am and 3.30am on October 28, last year, Pearson drove to his home in a van with Osprey marked on the side.

He said: “I told him get to f***. It was a company van and I know Scott doesn't work. He just drove away and came back between 4.30am and 5am without the van.

“I asked him where he had got the van from and he said they were heading up to Newharthill.

“He said they didn't think there was anyone in the van, but a man was sleeping. They rattled the window and the man got out the van and tried to defend himself. Scott said he was fighting with the man for about five minutes and knocked him out by punching him.

The witness added:: "He told me they jumped in the van and he thought he reversed over the man, but he wasn't sure. He was in that much shock he just drove away.”

Prosecutor Murdo McTaggart said " Did Scott tell you he thought he had reversed over the man", and Mr Payling replied: "Yes."

Mr ? Said: “Later he said he thought he f***ed it this time.”

Defence QC Tony Graham asked Mr Payling if he had given three versions of events to police and he agreed, but added: “I'm telling the truth today.”

Mr Graham then said: “In the explanation given by Mr Pearson did he say he thought he he might have reversed over Mr Sammour and the witness replied: “Yes.”

The court has heard that Pearson, from Newarthill, Ryan Hunter, 28, and an 18-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons, encountered Mr Sammour when they took a shortcut through a building site where he was working.

Hunter has already admitted the culpable homicide of Mr Sammour.

It is alleged that Mr Sammour was attacked and then as he lay on the ground his works van was reversed over him.

Nearby householders heard a commotion and a car revving and went outside to find him lying dying around 1am.

Mr. Payling was asked what Pearson said he did after he left the building site.

He told the jury: "He said they went for a spin for a bit. Didn't say where they had gone. This is when they must have came to my bit."

Mr McTaggart said: "Did he say what happened to the van," and the witness said: "He just said he'd got rid of it."

The court has heard that the works van was found burnt out near to Burns Crescent, Newarthill.

During a police interview at Coatbridge police station on November 1, 2018 Pearson claimed he had never been to the. housing development.

He was asked by Detective Constable Craig Bates: "Have you ever been in the Taylor Wimpey housing estate which is half finished," and he replied: "No."

He claimed to police he had spent all night at Mr Payling's house, only leaving at 5am or 6am to go to a nearby shop to buy cigarettes and juice.

Pearson was then asked if he drove and said: "No, dae a fuck."

Det Constable Bates asked Pearson if he had been invoked in an altercation with Mr Sammour and he replied: "No""

The detective then said: "Quiet weekend," and Pearson replied: "Uhu."

Det Constable Bate said to Pearson: “Mr Sammour had fractures to his face and skull, his left knee was shattered and his pelvis and ribs were fractured. Do you know the poor guy didn't die straightaway. He was screaming for help probably thinking of his four kids and his wife. He was working to earn a couple of pounds for his family. It's beyond comprehension how someone could do that don't you agree," and Pearson replied: "Aye."

The detective from the Major Crimes Investigation Team then told Pearson that Mr Sammour's four sons would grow up without a father and his wife without a husband and said: “Don't you think they deserve answers.”

Pearson said: “It's got f*** all to do with me. Nothing to do with me."

The trial continues.

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