A man has been sentenced to life in prison for killing a 16-year-old boy while using his car as a weapon to chase e-bike and moped riders. Zulkernain Ahmed, 21, deliberately mounted the pavement in Sheffield, striking Abdullah Yaser Abdullah Taleb, who was walking home. The teenager died at the scene.
Ahmed had been hunting for La’rome Divers following a dispute over e-bikes, and jurors were shown 'chilling' footage of his grey Audi S3 driving at riders wearing balaclavas. The car then ploughed into Abdullah, who was 'tragically in the wrong place at the wrong time', the judge said.
The court heard that Ahmed, who lived near the scene, had taken a baseball bat with him. He was convicted of murder, causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Divers, and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to two other riders who have not been identified. He must serve at least 30 years.
Ahmed’s brother, Armaan Ahmed, 27, who was a passenger in the car, was cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter and causing grievous bodily harm. He was jailed for 17 years. The judge described Abdullah as an 'optimistic person who loved life and loved people'.
Abdullah’s father, Yaser Abdullah Taleb Al Yazidi, said in a statement that the family had fled war in Yemen for a better life in England, and that his son had been eager to learn. He added: 'This criminal incident has destroyed the entire family.'
