Man who killed courier with their own van sentenced to life in prison.
Christopher Elgafari will serve a minimum term of 32 years for the murder of Mark Lang in Cardiff.
Last updated 1st Dec 2023
A man who killed a courier driver, when he was run over with his van, has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 32 years for his murder.
Christopher El Gifari, 31, admitted to the manslaughter of 54-year-old Mark Land, and theft of his van, but was found guilty of murder and robbery in November.
El Gifari attempted to steel Mark Lang's van, which he used as a delivery driver, as Lang delivered packages on Laytonia Avenue in Cardiff on the 28th of March.
Lang attempted to stop El Gifari by standing in front of his van as he tried to escape.
Lang was driven over and dragged under the van for over 740 meters before the van came to a stop on North Road, where El Gifari left the van and fled.
Members of the public tried to help Lang as he was critically injured, and he was rushed to the University Hospital of Wales where he died of his injuries 18 days later.
In court, El Gifari spoke only to confirm his name.
Mark Lang's partner Caroline Bergelin's victim statement was read out to the court, where she said "Mark was a family man and his death has devastated us all."
"He was my soulmate... The future seems scary without him...Our whole world has been turned upside down".
El Gifari had his head in his hands as the victim's statement was read out.
Christopher El Gifari has been sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 32 years.
Th judge Mr Justice Griffiths said in his sentencing remarks "Mark Land was well known and well-liked as a driver who had, for 15 years been delivering parcels to Cardiff residents, especially in the North Road and Llandaff Areas. You murdered him Christopher El Gifari.
"He was only 54. You took a son away from his mother. You bereaved his partner of 23 years. You deprived his two daughters of their father, a sister of her brother, and his partner's children of their father figure.
"He will not see future grandchildren. He will not enjoy retirement. The taking of a life is a terrible thing, not only because of the life which is cut short, but because of all the other lives which are damaged as well".
After the verdict, Mark Lang's family released the following statement.
“The family welcome the Court’s decision today convicting Christopher El Gifari of Mark’s murder.
We would like to thank the jury, the Police and the CPS for their hard work and support over the last few months and weeks. We would also like to extend thanks to those who helped Mark, from the people who called 999 and held his hand, to the Paramedics who assisted him at the scene and transferred him to Heath Hospital where he received tender and unwavering care from everyone on the critical care team.
The last few months have been traumatic for us as a family after Mark’s brutal, and ultimately pointless killing. We now have to struggle to face life without him. His partner now faces life alone, his daughters won’t have their dad to walk them down the aisle, his grandchildren will never know their grandad. We will have to live through the memories we know he would have treasured if he were there with us".