Man admits killing Amazon delivery driver 'who was dragged half a mile while trying to prevent the theft of his delivery truck'

A 32-year-old man has admitted killing an Amazon delivery driver who died when he was dragged half a mile down the road in Leeds while trying to prevent his van from being stolen.

Mark Ross admitted the manslaughter of Claudiu-Carol Kondor when he appeared at Leeds Crown Court via video link from prison on Friday, but denied murder.

Ross, of Conference Road, Armley, Leeds, is due to stand trial for the murder of Mr Kondor on March 4 next year.

He was remanded in custody by Judge Richard Mansell KC.

Mr Kondor, aged 42, from Sheffield, was pronounced dead at the scene in Heights Drive, Wortley, on August 20 after his silver Ford Transit Cargo van was stolen in Alliance Street while he was making a delivery.

Mr Kondor was pronounced dead at the scene in Leeds last month after his Ford Transit Cargo van was stolen while he was making a delivery

His employer SP Transport Group described Mr Kondor (pictured here with his wife Mariana) as more than just a colleague – he was a friend, a confidant and a valued member of our team.

Ross emerged from Leeds Prison and sat at a table during the 15-minute hearing, wearing a Nike sweatshirt.

The judge said a pretrial hearing would be held on February 7.

At the time of the incident, Mr Kondor was apparently working as a delivery driver for Amazon, but was employed by a company called SP Transport Group.

The company described him as “more than just a colleague – he was a friend, a confidant and a valued member of our team.”

Two other people were arrested in connection with the incident.

A 24-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail pending further investigations.

A woman who was arrested at the same time on suspicion of aiding and abetting a crime was released towards the end of the investigation.

An inquest into his death was opened at Wakefield Coroners' Court last Friday and adjourned by senior coroner Kevin McLoughlin.

Mr McLoughlin described Mr Kondor, from Sheffield, as a “valued citizen” who had suffered a “violent and unnatural death”.

The coroner described the driver's efforts to prevent the crime on August 20 as “commendable” before regretting his death at the scene in Wortley, a suburb of the West Yorkshire town.

Mr. Kondor was delivering a package on Alliance Street at 6:45 p.m. on August 20. When he returned, he reportedly saw a man jump into his vehicle.

Mr McLoughlin gave very brief details of how Mr Kondor caught someone “stealing his vehicle” and was injured while attempting to intervene.

He described Mr Kondor, from Sheffield, as “a Romanian gentleman who makes a contribution to society” and added: “He was working hard when he found someone was stealing his car.”

“He commendably tried to prevent the crime, but he paid an immense price for it.”

He attempted to stop the thief by getting into the van himself, but the suspect is accused of driving away at high speeds, dragging the driver half a mile to Heights Drive (pictured).

The scene in Leeds, West Yorkshire, after Mr Kondor was found fighting for his life

He stated that the cause of death was head and chest injuries.

The coroner described Mr Kondor's death as “heartbreaking”, adding: “My deepest sympathies go out to Mr Kondor's family.”

No member of Mr Kondor's family was present at the brief hearing and the inquest was adjourned until a date to be determined.

Mr. Kondor was delivering a package on Alliance Street at 6:45 p.m. when he returned and allegedly saw a man jump into his vehicle.

He tried to stop the thief by getting into the van himself, but the suspect is accused of driving away at high speed, dragging the driver, who was hanging desperately out the door, for half a mile.

Forensic scientists investigate at crime scene after driver was killed

The silver Ford Transit Cargo then crashed into two parked cars about half a mile away.

While Mr. Kondor lay dying on the road, the thief is said to have driven off and abandoned the vehicle ten kilometers away on Heights Drive.

The driver, who delivered Amazon packages via an external courier service, was found seriously injured at the scene of the accident shortly before 7 p.m.

When the officers arrived on the scene, they found the victim unconscious. Passers-by tried to help him.

Mr. Kondor received emergency treatment from a paramedic, but his death was confirmed at the scene a short time later and the police launched a murder investigation.

Police later found the van about six miles from the crime scene in Highlands Walk, Belle Isle.