Teenage asylum seeker from Leeds jailed over ‘savage’ central London murder
Sulaiman Tajzai fatally stabbed Farmanullah Sherzad
Last updated 18th Sep 2026
A teenage asylum seeker from Leeds has been locked up for life after he travelled more than 150 miles and killed a man in a “savage” knife attack in central London over a personal grudge.
During his trial Afghan national Sulaiman Tajzai, 18, pleaded guilty to murdering shop worker Farmanullah Sherzad, 26, in central London on March 27.
On Friday, Judge Angela Rafferty KC sentenced him to life with a minimum term of 25 years for murder and possession of a knife.
The Old Bailey judge said he had hunted Mr Sherzad down “like prey”, having travelled from Leeds and ambushed the victim in Westminster.
He subjected him to an “exceptionally violent” and “savage” attack in public, stabbing him at least 10 times, she said.
Tajzai had developed a “personal grudge” towards Mr Sherzad believing – falsely – that he was in the Taliban and had stalked his cousin’s wife with the intention of having sex with her.
The court was told the Taliban had previously kidnapped the defendant’s father and was suspected of killing him.
However, in victim impact statements, Mr Sherzad’s loved ones described him as a “friendly, polite, respectful person who was always well mannered and tolerant”.
The court heard how he loved cricket, was a “very good fast bowler” and was also hard-working, often working six or seven days a week.
Prosecutor Lisa Wilding KC said Tajzai had claimed to be aged 14 when he entered the UK in August 2022, going on to claim asylum the following year.
Frida Hussain, KC, defending, said he was suffering post traumatic stress disorder from exposure to frequent violence in his village and the death of relatives.
In March this year, then aged 18, he killed Mr Sherzad outside his home in Westminster after his family were told by police the victim would not be charged with stalking his cousin’s wife.
In October last year, police had attended the home of the defendant’s cousin and wife in Leeds, and found Mr Sherzad sitting on the floor with his wrists tied together with fabric and no shoes on.
Mr Sherzad was arrested on suspicion of stalking and trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence, the court heard.
However, he went on to tell police he was in a relationship with the wife who had invited him to visit her in Leeds via social media platform Snapchat, the court was told.
Following his release, the defendant’s cousin and his wife contacted the police multiple times and were later told there would be “no further action” against Mr Sherzad.
In January, Tajzai travelled to London to carry out reconnaissance near the convenience store where Mr Sherzad worked in south London and his home address.
On the day of the killing, he armed himself with a kitchen knife and travelled by train from Leeds to London.
He was caught on CCTV arriving at London’s King’s Cross station wearing a medical facemask, a distinctive jacket and dark gloves.
He was tracked on footage walking across London before reaching Mr Sherzad’s home in Abbey Orchard Street.
Mr Sherzad left work at 10pm and cycled home where Tajzai was waiting for him.
CCTV footage showed a scuffle before Mr Sherzad ran “screaming for his life” as Tajzai attacked him, leaving him in a pool of blood.
After fatally injuring Mr Sherzad, Tajai ran away and returned to Leeds by train the next day.