Inquest opens into death of delivery driver during van theft in Leeds

A parcel delivery driver who died as he tried to stop his van from being stolen "paid an immensely high price" for trying to prevent a crime, a coroner has said.

Claudiu-Carol Kondor, 42, died at the scene in Heights Drive, Wortley, Leeds, on 20 August after his silver Ford Transit Cargo van was stolen.

He had been making a delivery in nearby Alliance Street when he returned to find a thief taking the van.

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

Mr McLoughlin said Mr Kondor, from Sheffield, was "a Romanian gentleman who was contributing to society".

He added: "He was here, he was working hard, when he found someone stealing his vehicle.

"He's commendably tried to prevent the crime taking place but he's paid an immensely high price for this."

The coroner said this was the "violent and unnatural death of a valued citizen".

Mr McLoughlin gave very brief details of how Mr Kondor found someone "endeavouring to steal his vehicle" and was injured as he tried to intervene.

The coroner said his cause of death was head and chest injuries.

The van was later found abandoned in Belle Isle.

He described Mr Kondor's death as "heartbreaking" and added: "My heartfelt sympathies go out to Mr Kondor's family."

No members of Mr Kondor's family were in court for the short hearing and the inquest was adjourned to a date to be fixed.

The coroner said Mr Kondor was delivering for Amazon at the time.

He was employed by a company called SP Transport Group, who described him at the time of the incident as "more than just a colleague - he was a friend, a confidant and a valued member of our team".

Mark Ross, 32, of Conference Road, Armley, Leeds, appeared in court last month accused of murdering Mr Kondor.

He is due to go on trial next year.

Two other people were arrested in connection with the incident.

A 24-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder was released on bail pending further inquiries and a woman, who was arrested at the same time on suspicion of assisting an offender, was released under investigation.

An online fundraiser set up to support Mr Kondor's family has collected more than £31,000.

Organiser Mike Neill said: "The overwhelming support, generosity, and kindness shown by so many has been nothing short of incredible.

"I’ve watched as communities from all walks of life have come together, united by a shared sense of compassion and a desire to help in the face of this tragedy."