Murdered security guard was 'hard-working, honest man'
- Published
A security guard who was beaten to death was a "hard working and honest man" according to the detective leading the hunt for his killers.
Mohammad Abu Sammour, 49, was found dying at a housing development under construction near Newarthill in North Lanarkshire early on Sunday.
Mr Abu Sammour, from Caldercruix, Airdrie, was taken to Wishaw General Hospital but died a short time later.
The father-of-four's white Peugeot Partner van was later found burnt out.
It is understood Mr Abu Sammour was left so badly injured that it is possible his attackers ran over him before fleeing the scene.
Det Ch Insp David Pinkney said: "Mohammad Abu Sammour was a hard working, honest man, carrying out a normal shift as a security supervisor when he was violently attacked.
"It was a violent, vicious attack and we need to find justice for his wife and four young children."
Dr Irfan Jehangir was a close friend of the victim.
He said: "I have always seen him with his family, with his wife, with his kids, so caring.
"He used to, at one point, have more than two jobs at a time just to try and be a good provider for the family.
"A really hard-working man and so caring, so considerate.
"It's just a shock. It is not really sinking in that he is not with us."
Mr Abu Sammour was found critically injured at about 01:00 in Panmuir Crescent, part of a new housing development between Holytown and Newarthill.
A witness reported seeing a white van being driven off at speed on a road adjacent to Panmuir Crescent.
It was found burnt out at 12:00 on Sunday within waste ground situated between the A723 and Burn Crescent, New Stevenston.
Extra police patrols have been deployed in the area to reassure local residents.