Driver Found Guilty of Murdering 'Entirely Innocent' Teenager on Sheffield Pavement
A motorist who deliberately drove his car onto a pavement, striking and killing a sixteen-year-old boy, has been convicted of murder at Sheffield Crown Court. Zulkernain Ahmed, twenty-one, used his Audi as a weapon while targeting an e-bike rider over a dispute, fatally hitting Abdullah Yaser Abdullah al Yazidi, who was walking innocently along the footpath.
Fatal Collision on Staniforth Road
The tragic incident occurred on Staniforth Road in the Darnall area of Sheffield on June fourth last year. Prosecutors detailed that Ahmed drove on the wrong side of the road, first colliding with e-bike rider La'rome Divers, knocking him over a hedge, before striking Abdullah. The impact threw the teenager into the air, causing fatal injuries. Video evidence presented to the jury clearly showed the sequence of events.
Abdullah, described by authorities as entirely innocent, was merely walking along the pavement, seen throwing and catching a water bottle moments before the collision. Prosecutors emphasized he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, with no involvement in the underlying dispute.
Court Verdicts and Additional Charges
After three days of deliberation, a jury of nine women and three men delivered their verdicts. Zulkernain Ahmed was found guilty of:
- Murder of Abdullah al Yazidi
- Causing grievous bodily harm with intent to La'rome Divers
- Attempting to cause GBH with intent to two unidentified riders
Ahmed had previously admitted to manslaughter and one count of causing GBH, but the jury convicted him of the more serious murder charge. His brother, Armaan Ahmed, twenty-seven, a backseat passenger, was cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter and causing GBH to Mr. Divers. Another passenger, Adam Mohammed, thirty, was acquitted of all major charges, including murder and manslaughter.
All three defendants—Zulkernain Ahmed, Armaan Ahmed, and Adam Mohammed—were cleared of attempting to murder the three riders. A third brother, Zain Ahmed, who remains untraced by police, was the front-seat passenger during the incident.
Defendants' Accounts and Police Response
During the trial, Zulkernain Ahmed claimed he was searching for Mr. Divers due to perceived threats to his family, carrying a baseball bat but intending only to talk. He stated, at the last second I got scared and panicked and decided to give him a nudge, insisting he never intended harm to Abdullah or anyone else.
Armaan Ahmed told police he accompanied his brother to ensure his safety during a meeting about a bike. Adam Mohammed testified his sole purpose for being in the vehicle was to smoke cannabis and then play snooker, highlighting his lack of involvement in the violent intentions.
Detective Chief Inspector Benjamin Wood of South Yorkshire Police commented on the case, calling it a heartbreaking case which was entirely avoidable. He reiterated that Abdullah was an innocent victim who tragically lost his life due to reckless actions. The victim's family issued a statement welcoming the guilty verdict while expressing devastation over their loss.
Sentencing and Aftermath
La'rome Divers, seriously injured in the collision, refused to provide a statement to police. The Ahmed brothers are scheduled for sentencing on June fourth, marking one year since the fatal incident. This case underscores the severe consequences of using vehicles as weapons and the tragic impact on innocent bystanders caught in violent disputes.
