"This has destroyed our family," says heartbroken dad as killer brothers learn fate
"This criminal incident has destroyed the whole family”
Two brothers responsible for killing an innocent 16-year-old boy in a Sheffield horror crash were sentenced a few moments ago.
The fatal collision “destroyed the whole family," the boy’s heartbroken dad said as the killer brothers were jailed for their roles.
The crash occurred on June 4, 2025 - exactly a year ago today - on Staniforth Road, Darnall, and involved a grey Audi being driven by Zulkernain Ahmed, now aged 21.
The car, also containing Zulkernain’s brother Armaan, now 27, was being driven directly towards a group consisting of e-bike and moped riders when it hit Abdullah Yaser Abdullah Taleb.
As the Audi moved towards the group, it mounted the pavement and struck Abdullah, who was walking along the road.
Despite the best efforts of medics and members of the public who tried to assist, Abdullah, also previously referred to Abdullah Taleb Al Yazidi, sadly could not be saved and died a short time later.
The teen had fled war-torn Yemen just weeks earlier, and had hopes of a bright future after arriving in England.
Prosecutors asserted that the fatal incident arose out of the Ahmed brothers’ intention to carry out a “revenge attack.”
They armed themselves with weapons including a baseball bat and a stick, prior to setting off.
In a hearing which concluded a few moments ago, the judge, Mrs Justice Tipples jailed both Ahmed brothers, who were convicted in February 2026 at the conclusion of a trial at the same court.
Murderer Zulkernain received a life sentence, and was told he must spend a minimum of 30 years behind bars.
Dressed in a black shirt, Zulkernain smiled as he was led out of the dock to begin his decades-long sentence.
Armaan, who was found guilty of Abdullah’s manslaughter, was handed a 17-year prison sentence.
Mrs Justice Tipples told the brothers: “Abdullah was tragically in the wrong place at the wrong time. He did not know, and had never met Zulkernain Ahmed who was deliberately riding his car at a group of bikers...His [Abdullah’s] senseless death has been devastating for his family.”
Turning to Zulkernain’s murderous conduct, she added: “You intended to use your car as a weapon against a group of three riders.
“You drove that car at speed when you found them...you killed Abdullah Taleb with your car. Even though he was not your intended target you murdered him.”
Sitting emotionless in the dock, the two brothers listened to a devastating statement from Abdullah’s dad, Yaser, as he detailed the heartbreaking and life-changing impact of Abdullah’s death.
“This criminal incident has destroyed the entire family. We are unable to return to our normal lives, and I don’t think we ever will,” said Mr Taleb Al Yazidi.
He said knowing the incident could have been prevented was “extremely painful.”
Turning to the actions of the two defendants, Mr Taleb Al Yazidi continued: “Some of the videos show they saw Abdullah twice after hitting him, they did not stop to help him."
Describing the type of person Abdullah was, Mr Taleb Al Yazidi continued: “He was an optimistic person who loved life and loved people. He was eager to learn and integrate into the community. He was happy to arrive in a safer country.
“He was responsible for his mothers and his sisters. The family relied on him for everything.
“He was always smiling, quick to learn and loved by everyone.”
Yaser revealed that Abdullah was excited to start college in September 2025, and was due to attend an interview to assess his academic level just 10 days after his death.
Four jurors returned to court for today’s sentencing hearing.
The trial heard how prior to the crash, an e-bike had reportedly been stolen from the Ahmed family home, leading to a dispute between the Ahmed brothers and individuals including 18-year-old La’Rome Divers.
Mr Divers was one of the males in the group of e-bike riders and mopeds that the Audi was driving towards when Abdullah was fatally hit.
He was also hit by the Audi, with the impact of the collision knocking La’Rome over a hedge and into a nearby garden.
Following the crash, Zulkernain and Armaan, did not seek to attend to fatally wounded Abdullah, but they did return to the car to retrieve their weapons.
Lead prosecution counsel, Alistair MacDonald KC, said the car ended up on the pavement because it was “being used as a weapon.”
La’Rome suffered serious injuries in the crash, for which he underwent surgery. He refused to provide police with a statement, and also declined to give evidence during the Ahmed brothers’ trial.
Describing the moments leading up to the fatal collision, Mrs Justice Tipples added: “Abdullah Yaser Abdullah Taleb was walking along a pavement, throwing a water bottle up and down.
“And as he approached the bus stop, a safe space for any pedestrian, he was hit outright and fatally injured by the car that you Zulkernain were driving so dangerously and at speed.”
She added: “I’m sure you, Zulkernain, looked out of your car window and saw Abdullah Taleb very badly injured. You also knew La’Rome Divers had been knocked off his bike.
“You did not stop for a moment.”
A third Ahmed brother, Zain Ahmed, is believed to have been the front seat passenger in the vehicle at the time of the collision.
He disappeared a short time afterwards, and has never been traced. Police have confirmed Zain Ahmed remains a wanted suspect.
Zulkernain and Armaan had intended to flee the country and travel to Turkey in the hours after the fatal crash, but they were caught and arrested at the port of Dover.
Alistair Webster KC, defending Zulkernain, acknowledged that no-one who had witnessed the death of Abdullah - either at the scene or via CCTV video “could fail to be deeply affected and appalled by the sheer senselessness of a death of a young boy walking along the the pavement.
He referred Mrs Justice Tipples to a handwritten letter from the killer driver, in which he said: “I’m sorry from the bottom of my heart.”
“I regret the actions I took that day. I wish that time could change back, I would change so many things. I can’t believe I took someone’s life. Every day I have to live with it, every night I cry in my cell.”
Mr Webster also referred to a report from a psychologist, who determined that Zulkernain’s diagnosed conditions of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder are likely to have contributed to the “impulsivity” and “panic” he demonstrated during the commission of the offences.
They concluded, however, that the conditions “do not account for the behaviour on their own.”
Addressing the suggestion the offences formed part of a revenge attack, Mr Webster continued: “The bike was recovered. There was telephone contact from La’Rome Divers. Mr Ahmed’s evidence was that threats were made, which is why he reacted.”
“Evidence from the police officer in the case is the Divers family has a reputation for violence.”
Mark McKone KC, representing Armaan, told the court that his client had written his own letter to the court, and “realises the enormity of the case and that he must take blame for what happened.”
He asserted that Armaan “did not encourage his brother to use his car as a weapon,” and argued that the jury must have also reached the same conclusion, given he was found guilty of manslaughter - and not guilty of the more serious charge of murder.
Zulkernain was also sentenced for one of causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, relating to Mr Divers, and two counts of attempting to cause GBH with intent. Jurors found him guilty of those offences at the conclusion of the same trial.
Armaan was also sentenced for one count of wounding.
The 360 days the two brothers have spent in custody on remand will count towards their sentences.