A 16-year-old schoolboy was tragically in the 'wrong place at the wrong time' when he was killed in an alleged deliberate hit-and-run, a court has heard. Three men are now on trial for the murder of Abdullah Yaser Abdullah Taleb in Sheffield.
The Fatal Incident on Staniforth Road
On the afternoon of June 4, 2025, Abdullah was walking along the pavement on Staniforth Road in the Darnall area of Sheffield. The prosecution alleges that an Audi car was deliberately driven onto the wrong side of the road and mounted the pavement, striking the teenager with 'great force'.
Alistair MacDonald KC, opening the case for the prosecution at Sheffield Crown Court, stated Abdullah was thrown into the air and suffered 'catastrophic injuries' from which he could not recover. Paramedics performed emergency surgery at the scene, including opening his chest in a desperate attempt to restart his heart, but their efforts were in vain.
Car 'Used as a Weapon' Against Cyclists
The court heard that Abdullah was not the intended target of the alleged attack. The prosecution claims the car was first driven at three other young men—two on electric bikes and one on a moped—who were travelling in the opposite direction.
One of these riders was struck with such force that he was thrown over a hedge and required extensive surgery to survive. The jury was told that CCTV with audio captured the car being revved before impact, and that no attempt was made to brake before the collisions.
The alleged driver is Zulkernain Ahmed, 20, from Sheffield. His brother, Armaan Ahmed, 26, of the same address, and a third man, Adam Mohammed, 29, also from Sheffield, were passengers. The prosecution asserts all three were 'in this together'. A fourth passenger has not been found.
'Cool as a Pizza Order' 999 Call
Following the collisions at 16:52, none of the three accused men called for emergency assistance. However, six minutes later at 16:58, Zulkernain Ahmed dialled 999.
Mr MacDonald told the jury the alleged driver sounded 'as cool as he would if he was ordering a pizza from the local parlour' as he falsely reported his car stolen. The operator, unconvinced by his account, advised him to call the non-emergency number instead.
The trial of Zulkernain Ahmed, Armaan Ahmed, and Adam Mohammed, who all deny murder, is expected to continue until February 9.
