Man convicted of murdering security guard in Newarthill

A violent thug has been convicted of murdering a security supervisor by beating him and then as he lay unconscious, reversing over him in his own works van.

When callous 22-year-old Scott Pearson was told that his victim dad-of-four Mohammed Abu Sammour was lying behind the van he said: “I don't care” and carried on reversing.

The High Court in Glasgow heard that Mr Sammour received horrific injuries including fractures to his skull and face and ribs. He was partially scalped and both legs were badly injured.

The vicious attack, which left four young boys without a father, took place at a Taylor Wimpey building site at Panton Avenue, Newarthill, in the early hours of October 28, last year.

Judge Lord Burns told Pearson that he is facing a life sentence, but deferred sentence until next month for background reports saying: “You have been convicted of the murder of Mr Sammour and I will require to get more information about your background.

Lord Burns will determine next month how long Pearson should spend behind bars before being eligible for parole.

Pearson showed no emotion as he was led away to the cells.

The court heard that Pearson, his co-accused Ryan Hunter, 28, who pleaded guilty to culpable homicide before the start of the trial, and an 18-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, walked through the building site as a shortcut.

They saw Mr Sammour's Osprey works van and planned to steal it.

What they did not realise was that Mr Sammour was inside the van and sprang out and tried to chase them away.

However, he was hit first by the 18-year-old and then by Pearson. Both, the court heard, were wearing knuckledusters.

Mr Sammour was stamped on and knocked to the ground unconscious by Pearson.

All three piled into the van with Pearson driving.

He began reversing and Hunter told him that Mr Sammour might be lying behind the van and he replied: “I don't care."

A home owner in the partially completed housing development heard the sound of voices, a van revving, a thud and went out and found Mr Sammour lying in the roadway.

Paul Armstrong, 47, told prosecutor Murdo McTaggart: “Whoever was in the vehicle was wanting to get away quick and fast.

“I heard a groaning coming from outside.”

He and his wife went outside to investigate around 1am and found Mr Sammour.

He said: "The gentleman's left leg was badly distorted, it was all out of shape. He had no shoes or socks on. They were lying nearby.

"The injury's to the gentleman's face it was as if he had a mask on. The skin was all hanging off the side of his head."

Mr Armstrong told the jury that he and his wife waited with Mr Sammour for about 10 minutes for an ambulance to arrive.

He used his mobile phone to guide the ambulance in and his wife held Mr Sammour's hand.

A paramedic and a doctor, who treated Mr Sammour, said he appeared to be saying prayers.

He died in Wishaw Generall Hospital at 2.02am.

Mr Sammour came to the UK from Palestine 17 years ago to study management. His wife Fidda, 40, who also comes from Palestine, worked as a computer scientist in Jordan before coming to Scotland.

The couple had four sons aged 11, 9, 7, and two.

He was working nights as a security supervisor with Osprey checking the security of building sites.

Pathologist Dr Sharon Melmore, who carried out a post mortem examination of Mr Sammour gave the cause of death as head, chest and pelvis injuries.

She was asked if the injuries were survivable and replied: “No.”

The court heard that detectives quickly got on the trail of Pearson and his accomplices.

Mr Sammour's works van had a tracker fitted and this pinpointed everywhere they drove that night.

CCTV footage was obtained and two community cops identified one of the men caught on film as Pearson.

When interviewed by police Pearson insisted he had been at a friend's house all night.

He sat with arms folded during the three hour interview and told detectives: “It's got f*** all to do with me.”

When police pressed him about his claim he was at a friend's house he shouted at them: “I told you where I was. I said I was at my f***ing pals.”

His friend eventually admitted to police that Pearson was not at his home during the crucial time.

Police sent to arrest Pearson found him hiding under his bed at his family home.