Afghan boat migrant who travelled 150 miles to stab shop worker to death because he had been messaging his cousin's wife is jailed for life

A teenage asylum seeker has been locked up for life after he travelled more than 150 miles and killed a man in a 'savage' knife attack because he had been messaging his cousin's wife.Sulaiman Tajzai, 18, pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey earlier this month to the murder of 26-year-old Farmanullah Sherzad.CCTV footage shows Tajzai buying a knife at a shop near his home in Leeds on March 27 before he travelled all the way to Mr Sherzad's address in Westminster to kill him.Today, 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', and 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'. Sulaiman Tajzai, 18, has been sentenced to life with a minimum term of 25 years for the murder of 26-year-old Farmanullah Sherzad Mr Sherzad, 26, was ambushed outside his home by Tajzai and chased down in the streets. He was stabbed to death on Abbey Orchard Road and died at 10.35pm on March 27 Security camera footage showed a scuffle near Mr Sherzad's house, and that he ran 'screaming for his life' as Tajzai attacked him, Lisa Wilding KC saidThe 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 Tajzai'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, Tajzai'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 and 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.He arrived 15 minutes later, and security camera footage showed a scuffle near Mr Sherzad's house, and that he ran 'screaming for his life' as Tajzai attacked him, Lisa Wilding KC said.Tajzai then ran away from the scene and dropped a pair of black gloves near St James' Park. Mr Sherzad's blood was found on the gloves and DNA inside them was linked to Tajzai, forensic investigators found.Mr Sherzad suffered several stab wounds and died 20 minutes later despite the efforts of medical staff. The murderer tried to catch a train back to Leeds from King's Cross station; however, he missed it and got onto another one just after 6am the following day.He was arrested at his cousin's house in Leeds on March 29, and police officers searched the address, seizing multiple items belonging to him, including a pair of blood-stained trainers.CCTV footage revealed that Tajzai had travelled to London in the weeks before the attack to scope out Mr Sherzad's home address and where he worked, the police said.Jurors also heard Tajzai briefly spoke with the shopkeeper who sold him the knife 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 asked 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.’ Afghan refugee Tajzai was seen buying a knife in Leeds before murdering a man his family accused of stalking in LondonIn a statement issued after Tajzai pleaded guilty, Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, who led the investigation, said: 'This is a devastating case in which a young man lost his life after being subjected to a brutal and senseless act of violence.'No family should have to endure the pain of losing a loved one in such circumstances.' Passing sentence, the judge said: ‘In the months before this date the jury heard evidence that you had stalked Mr Sherzad and 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.'The judge continued: ‘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.'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.'