Leeds teenager travelled 150 miles to kill alleged stalker, court told

A Leeds teenager travelled more than 150 miles to confront and fatally stab a man his family had accused of stalking, a court has heard.

Sulaiman Tajzai, 18, is on trial at the Old Bailey accused of murdering Farmanullah Sherzad, 26, in London on March 27.

Opening the case on Monday, prosecutor Lisa Wilding KC said Tajzai had travelled to the victim’s home in Westminster, central London, armed with a kitchen knife.

He allegedly attacked and repeatedly stabbed Mr Sherzad who had been the subject of multiple complaints by family members.

Referring to Tajzai, Ms Wilding said: “His actions that day were neither a coincidence nor spontaneous.

“He travelled to London armed with that knife, waited for his target outside his home and then confronted him in a sustained and brutal attack that led to Mr Sherzad’s immediate death.”

Shortly before 10.15pm, police were called to reports of a stabbing in Abbey Orchard Street.

They found Mr Sherzad with serious injuries, Mrs Wilding said. He had suffered multiple stab wounds and died from his injuries.

Earlier that day, the defendant had bought the knife from a shop near his Leeds home, jurors were told.

Shortly before 5pm, he was allegedly 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 CCTV walking across London before reaching Mr Sherzad’s home in Abbey Orchard Street, Ms Wilding said.

The prosecutor outlined the background to alleged animosity against Mr Sherzad dating back to the autumn of 2025.

She said there was a clear “pre-existing connection” between a family member and Mr Sherzad which had “turned sour”.

Tajzai, of Temperance Hall, Leeds, was assisted in the dock by an interpreter. He denies murder and possession of a knife.

The Old Bailey trial continues.