Two brothers have been sentenced to prison for the death of a 16-year-old boy, who was tragically caught in a violent incident while walking near a group of cyclists. Abdullah Yaser Abdullah Taleb, who had recently moved to the UK seeking refuge and a brighter future, was struck by a vehicle driven by 21-year-old Zulkernain Ahmed in Sheffield in June 2025.
Zulkernain has received a life sentence with a minimum of 30 years for his role in the murder, while his brother, 27-year-old Armaan Ahmed, who was a passenger in the car, has been handed a 17-year sentence for manslaughter. The two were found guilty by a jury following a trial in February, where the presiding judge, Mrs. Justice Amanda Tipples, described the act as “senseless and shocking.”
During the proceedings, the court revealed that the brothers had intentionally targeted a group of three cyclists, which included two individuals on electric bikes and one on a moped. Abdullah, who was seen on video happily tossing a water bottle as he walked to purchase lunch, was fatally struck by the vehicle.
The incident reportedly arose from a dispute related to the theft of electric bikes, with Zulkernain alleging that he had been threatened by La’Rome Divers, a man who refused to cooperate with law enforcement during the investigation. Zulkernain claimed that Divers had made threats against him and his family following a confrontation over an e-bike that had been stolen from him at knifepoint.
At the beginning of the sentencing hearing on Thursday, prosecutor Alistair MacDonald KC read a poignant statement from Abdullah’s father, Yaser Abdullah Taleb Al Yazidi. He shared that his son had resided in Sheffield for just two months and was preparing to start college later that year. “Life in Yemen was almost impossible – war, gangs, and individuals carrying weapons,” he expressed. “I came to England in search of safety and a better life for my family and me.”
Reflecting on his son, Al Yazidi noted, “He was an optimistic person who loved life and people… He was excited to arrive in a safe country.”
