Zulkernain Ahmed, 21, has been sentenced to life in prison for using his Audi as a weapon in a fatal crash that claimed the life of a 16-year-old boy in Sheffield. The victim, Abdullah Yaser Abdullah Taleb, had recently arrived in England from Yemen. Ahmed must serve a minimum of 30 years before being eligible for parole.
His brother, Armaan Ahmed, 27, who was a passenger in the car during the incident, received a 17-year sentence, with an additional two years added for aggravating factors in the manslaughter case. He will be eligible for release on license after serving two-thirds of his sentence.
Abdullah was walking along a pavement on Staniforth Road when he was struck by the Audi, which had mounted a kerb. Prosecutors stated that Zulkernain deliberately targeted a group of e-bike riders over a dispute, with Abdullah becoming an unintended victim.
During the trial at Sheffield Crown Court, Abdullah’s father, Yaser Abdullah Al Yazidi, shared a victim impact statement describing his son as an optimistic person who loved life and people. Abdullah, who was looking forward to starting college, tragically passed away despite medical efforts.
The court was informed that Zulkernain had targeted one of the e-bike riders, La’Rome Divers, in a revenge attack related to an e-bike theft incident. A psychologist’s report indicated that Zulkernain’s mental health conditions may have influenced his actions but were not the sole cause.
Zulkernain expressed remorse in a letter, apologizing for his actions and expressing his wish to make amends. He mentioned learning CPR and chest compressions in prison, hoping to contribute positively in the future.