Man accused of murdering Leeds delivery driver to appear in court

A man has been charged with the murder of a delivery man who was killed while on his rounds in Leeds this week.

Mark Ross, 32, is due to appear at Leeds Crown Court today charged with the death of Claudiu-Carol Kondor, 42.

West Yorkshire Police have launched a murder investigation after Kondor was found injured in Heights Drive, Wortley, on Tuesday evening.

He received assistance from the public and ambulance personnel but was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said his silver Ford Transit Cargo van was stolen on Alliance Street, about a half-mile away, while he was making a delivery. The van was later found abandoned several miles away, police said.

Mike Neill, operations director at SP Transport Group, the company Kondor worked for, said: “This unimaginable loss has devastated us all. Claudiu was more than just a colleague, he was a friend, a confidant and a valued member of our team. His commitment to his work and the camaraderie he brought to the workplace will never be forgotten.”

Neill has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for Kondor’s family, which has so far received donations of more than £21,000.

Kondor delivered packages for Amazon, which uses delivery companies to ship packages to customers’ homes.

An Amazon spokesperson said: “This is a terrible incident and our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to the driver’s loved ones, family and colleagues at our delivery service provider. We will do everything we can to assist the police with their investigations.”

A 24-year-old man arrested on Thursday on suspicion of murder remains in custody.

A woman arrested at the same time on suspicion of aiding an offender has been released under investigation.