Pair jailed for murder of Lanarkshire security guard

The killers of a tragic security guard have been jailed for a total of 24 years.

22.year-old Scott Pearson and 28 year-old Ryan Hunter were sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow following the death of 49 year-old Mohammed Abu Sammour in October last year.

Pearson was locked up for a minimum 18 years after he was convicted of murdering the dad-of-four at a Taylor Wimpey building site in Newarthill, Lanarkshire.

Hunter was sentenced to six years after he pled guilty to the reduced charge of culpable homicide.

Mohammed ended up dead after the pair and an accomplice planned to take his works van to go joyriding.

Jurors earlier heard how Mohammed was beaten unconscious then reversed over in his own vehicle.

He suffered 83 injuries including fractures to his face, skull and multiple rib injuries.

It emerged Pearson – whose criminal record stretches back to when he was 12 – had only been freed from prison eight days earlier.

Sentencing, Lord Burns told him: “Mr Sammour must have been dragged for a considerable distance while trapped under the van.

“It is plain that you were fully aware that you had reversed over him.

“The way you did this has considered to be murderous. You then fled the scene leaving others to give help to Mr Sammour as he lay dying.”

Hunter had pled guilty on the basis he did not take any “physical action” to stop Pearson or get out the van to help the victim.

Lord Burns told him: “You could have detached yourself from the crime long before. Along with your friends, you left Mr Sammour to his fate.”

A trial earlier heard how the attackers spotted Mohammed's works van and planned to steal it.

But, the security guard was inside the vehicle and tried to chase them away.

Pearson and the third man – armed with knuckledusters – turned on Mohammed.

Pearson stamped on the victim leaving him unconscious.

The trio then jumped into the van – Pearson was warned

Mohammed might be prone behind the vehicle, but he stated: “I don't care.”

A resident came to the dying victim's aid after the attackers fled.

47.year-old Paul Armstrong recalled: “The injuries to the gentleman's face was as if he had a mask on. The skin was hanging off the side of his head.”

Mohammed appeared to pray as medics then tended to him.

But, he sadly passed away in hospital that morning.

The tracker in the stolen van helped snared the killers. Police obtained CCTV of areas the vehicle had gone and Pearson was initially identified.

But, the thug told officers: “It has f* all to do with me. I was at my f** pal's.”

His QC Tony Graham said the incident had “started out as a drunken criminal caper” to steal the van before turning fatal.

Herbert Kerrigan QC, defending Hunter, described what happened as “incredibly foolish”.

The victim had arrived in the UK from Palestine 17 years ago to study management.

Mohammed lived with his wife Fidaa and their four sons. He had been working as a guard for the firm Osprey at the time.

After the hearing, his wife said “no sentence or punishment will bring back Mohammed”.

The statement – read by family lawyer Aamer Anwar – added: “These killers showed a barbaric disregard for his life.”

The Lord Advocate James Wolffe QC was also urged to “do his duty” to help bring the third person allegedly involved to court.

The statement said: “The fight for justice is not over."

A statement released on behalf of Mr Sammour's family said: "Mohammed was a kind and peaceful man who leaves behind 4 young sons who pine for their father every waking minute.

"No sentence, no punishment would bring back Mohammed. These killers showed a barbaric disregard for his life last October, however the fight for justice is not over.

"A third man was named in this court and is alleged to have been part of the attack. Mrs Abu Sammour now expects the Lord Advocate to do his duty. It would be inappropriate to comment further."

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