Killer boat migrant gets 25 years

An Afghan boat migrant who travelled nearly 200 miles to hunt down a shop worker and stab him to death near Westminster Abbey has been jailed for minimum of 25 years.

Farmanullah Sherzad, 26, was heard ‘screaming for his life’ as Suliaman Tajzai, 18, chased him through the Peabody Estate on Abbey Orchard Street, Westminster, on 27 March this year.

Police arrived on the scene to find Mr Sherzad lying on his side in a pool of blood with a large kitchen knife buried in his chest

Tajzai, who entered the UK illegally on an inflatable boat on 1 August 2022, admitted murder and knife possession on the fourth day of his Old Bailey trial.

Judge Angela Rafferty, KC, said sentenced him to a life imprisonment with a minumum term of 25 years.

The Afghan, who appeared in the dock aided by a Pashto language interpreter showed no trace of emotion as he was sentenced.

Referring to a psychiatric report, Tajzai’s barrister Haroon Khattak earlier said: ‘The conclusion of that report is that this defendant is somebody with PTSD, a “traumatised refugee” was the phrase that was used.’

Footage played in court shows Tazjai browsing for knives at a discount store in Leeds on the day of the killing wearing a distinctive blue and white jacket that was later found at his address.

He was wearing black gloves and had a large black duffle bag on his back as he spent two minutes picking out a kitchen knife with a wooden handle.

Jurors heard Tajzai briefly spoke with the shopkeeper who offered him tea after learning he was from Afghanistan.

The refugee said he was recently accommodated in Leeds by ‘social housing’.

Irshad Ahmed, who worked behind the till, said in a statement: ‘I know most of the customers of the shop because they are mostly local people.

‘I asked him, “Are you Pashto?” He said yes. I as him this question in Pashto language, and he replied in Pashto.

‘I asked him, “Are you new in this area?” He said, “Yes, I was accommodated in this area by social housing.”

‘I asked if he wanted a cup of tea but he said no,’ adding: ‘When he was in the shop he was normal.’

Tajzai then made his way 200 miles to London by train where he arrived at King’s Cross station just before 5pm, when he put on a surgical mask and headed towards Abbey Orchard Street.

In the four hours leading up to the killing, Tajzai would change his outfit, putting on a navy tracksuit hoodie seen inside his duffle bag, black gloves, and balaclava.

He loitered the streets of Westminster, walking back and forth Vauxhall Bridge and was spotted outside several government buildings including MI6 across the Thames, before making his way to the Peabody Estate.

Prosecutor Lisa Wilding KC earlier said: ‘His actions that day were neither a coincidence nor spontaneous.’

Jurors heard the attack on Mr Sherzad was so brutal that his lung prolapsed.

Five months earlier Tajzai and cousin Zakirullah Tarakhail had tied up Mr Sherzad when it emerged he had been secretly messaging Tarakhail’s wife Kabuli, also known as Safa.

Mr Tarakhail had filed a police report against Mr Sherzad in September 2025, accusing him of stalking and trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence.

But when asked by an officer to show him Snapchat messages with Mr Sherzad, written in Arabic, on her phone, she deleted all of them and refused to provide a signed statement or go to court.

On 3 October police attended the Tarakhails’ home in Leeds to find Mr Sherzad sitting on the floor with no shoes on and his wrists bound with fabric.

But at that stage Mr Sherzad was arrested for stalking Mrs Tarakhail, the Old Bailey heard.

He told police: ‘Me and Safa, Kabuli Tarakhil, have been seeing each other romantically.

‘We went once to Mazza restaurant and once we met in the park.

‘She messages me on Snapchat and calls me to come and see her.

‘Today she asked me to come to her house. I rang the doorbell, she released the door and told me to come upstairs. I came up to the flat, she opened the door and I came inside.

‘As I came in, her husband and brother were there.

‘They took my mobile phone and they still have my phone.

‘They then phoned the police and the police attended the property.

‘I did not say I want to have sex with Safa at all.

‘This is the third time I have seen Safa. I am the victim here, please help me.’

Police later informed the Tarakhails it was dropping its case against Mr Sherzad.

But the prosecutor said: ‘It is clear that in her mind, and you may conclude, her husband’s, this was not over.’

Tajzai, of Beeston, Leeds, admitted murder and knife possession in a public place.

Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, who led the investigation, said: ‘Our thoughts remain with Farmanullah’s family and loved ones, who continue to face the unimaginable consequences of his death. While nothing can ever undo their pain and suffering, we hope this outcome provides them with some measure of justice.

‘My team worked meticulously to piece together crucial CCTV, and forensic evidence to build a compelling case, and today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of this violent and senseless attack, which resulted in the tragic loss of a young man’s life.’

In a statement, the victim’s family said: “We as a family are utterly devastated and heartbroken by the sudden and horrific murder of Farmanullah. His life was taken from him in the most cruel and senseless circumstances, leaving a void that can never be filled.

‘Farmanullah was a kind, gentle and free-spirited man. He was someone who would not hurt a fly. He lived his life peacefully, treated others with respect and sought only to live in harmony with those around him.

‘It is almost impossible for us to comprehend that someone so harmless and kind has been taken from us in such a violent and tragic way.

‘We are deeply shocked and angered by the circumstances surrounding his death. If, as we understand, this was a calculated, heinous and premeditated act, then the enormity of what has happened cannot be overstated.

‘A human life has been deliberately taken, and a family has been left to live with unimaginable grief and loss.

‘No family should ever have to endure the pain that we are experiencing. No innocent life should be taken in such circumstances.

‘We sincerely hope that the authorities and the justice system will do everything within their power to ensure that those who pose a danger to others are appropriately dealt with, rehabilitated where possible, and prevented from causing further devastation to other innocent families.

‘Farmanullah deserved to live his life. He deserved to grow old surrounded by his family and loved ones. Instead, we are left mourning a life that was cruelly and prematurely taken from us.

‘We will never forget him, and we will never stop grieving for him.’

Passing sentence the judge said: ‘In the months before this date the jury heard evidence that you had stalked Mr Sherzad and had had travelled to London to do
reconnaissance as to where he lived and worked.

‘On one of these occasions, you followed him and found out his daily routine. You
were effectively stalking him down like prey.

‘You had a grudge against him based on a false suggestion of misconduct towards a
female you are connected with.

‘It is not said on your behalf, nor could it be, that you had any justifiable or excusable grievance against this man.

‘Mr Sherzad approached his home you confronted him. The packaging for the knife you had earlier bought was found in foliage outside his home.

‘You had taken the knife out ready for his return. On seeing you Mr Sherzad tried to get away and dropped his personal belongings as he ran.

‘He must have seen the knife and the balaclava you were wearing and realised that death was close.

‘As he ran away and you pursued him, determined.

‘Witnesses heard his repeated loud screams for help. Some saw you chasing him with the disguise and the knife. One witness shouted at you to leave him alone during the final moments of the pursuit but then saw you slash at him.

‘The CCTV shows him completely helpless on the ground as you repeatedly stab him in including in his back.

‘Mr Sherzad’s last moments were spent in terror and anguish that can only be imagined.

‘This was an exceptionally violent knife attack Mr Sherzad suffered at least 10 external stab wounds together with multiple deep slash wounds to the face, neck, chest, back and arms.

‘The attack severed major blood vessels in the neck, penetrated the heart and
thoracic aorta. injured both lungs leaving his lung protruding from the chest wall and caused catastrophic blood loss.

‘Some of his bones were fractured several of the injuries were defensive in
nature, indicating attempts to fend you off. He could not have survived.

‘After you killed Mr Sherzad you left him lying in the street and ran away. You disposed of anything that you thought might link you to his murder including changing your clothes and attempted to disguise yourself.

‘You went back to Leeds. When you were arrested you did not make any admissions and would not give the police the PIN to your phone.’

ends