Leeds delivery driver who died trying to stop van theft ‘paid high price’, coroner says

A delivery driver who died as he tried to stop his van from being stolen was a “valued citizen” who “paid an immensely high price” for his actions, a coroner has said.

Claudiu-Carol Kondor, 42, was pronounced dead at the scene in Heights Drive, in the Wortley area of Leeds, on 20 August after his silver Ford Transit Cargo van was stolen while he was making a delivery, police have said.

An inquest into his death was opened and adjourned at Wakefield coroners’ court on Friday by the senior coroner Kevin McLoughlin, pending a murder trial.

McLoughlin said 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”.

McLoughlin gave brief details of how 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.

He described Kondor’s death as “heartbreaking” and added: “My heartfelt sympathies go out to Mr Kondor’s family.”

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

The coroner said Kondor was delivering for Amazon at the time. He was employed by a company called SP Transport Group, which described him at the time as “more than just a colleague – he was a friend, a confidant and a valued member of our team”.

A Gofundme page set up by the company to support Kondor’s family has raised more than £30,000 . Mike Neill, a colleague who started the fundraiser, said the kindness had been “nothing short of incredible” and “would never be forgotten”.

He wrote: “To everyone who has contributed, shared the campaign, or offered their support in any way, I want to express my deepest gratitude. Your actions have not only provided financial relief to Claudiu’s family, but they have also offered them a powerful reminder that they are not alone in their grief.”

Mark Ross, 32, of Armley in Leeds, appeared in court last month accused of murdering Kondor. He is due to go on trial next year.

Two other people were arrested in connection with the death. 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.