Murder trial hears security guard's injuries could be from being run over with van

A pathologist told a murder trial security supervisor Mohammed Abu Sammour's injuries could be consistent with being run over with his works van.

Dr Sharon Melmore gave evidence at the trial of 22-year old Scott Pearson, who denies murdering Mr Sammour , who worked for Osprey, at the Torrance Gardens housing development at Panton Avenue, Newarthill, Lanarkshire, on October 28, last year.

It's 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.

She told prosecutor Murdo McTaggart that the cause of death was head, chest and pelvic injuries.

The jury at the high Court in Glasgow was told that Mr Sammour had 83 injuries, including fractures to his face, skull and multiple rib fractures.

Mr McTaggart asked her: "What would have caused the skull fractures?"

She replied: "They are most likely due to being run over."

The prosecutor then said: "If we have heard evidence that Mr Sammour was assaulted and rendered unconscious before being hit with the vehicle is there anything in your report that's not consistent with that scenario?"

The pathologist replied: "No."

Defence QC tony Graham said: "What we don't have here is any indication that Mr Sammour was driven over".

Dr Melmore replied: "There were no specific tyre marks."

The court has heard that Pearson, 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.

Former prisoner James Thomson, 27, who was in Barlinnie while Pearson was on remand for murder said that they got talking one day at the football pitch near to the gym.

Mr Thomson was asked who Pearson said was driving the van and said he could not remember.

He was taken to a police statement he gave in January last year.

Mr McTaggart said: "Does the statement say Scott Prearson told me that he was driving the van and crushed the man."

He replied: "Yes."

The prosecutor then said: "Were you telling the truth?"

He replied: "Yes."

Defence QC Tony Graham said: "Are you sure this conversation ever took place?"

Mr Thomson replied: "I'm not a liar."

The trial before Lord Burns continues.