Teen migrant jailed after travelling 200 miles to chase down and stab man, 26, to death in long-running family row

A TEEN migrant has been jailed after he travelled more than 150 miles and killed a man in a “savage” knife attack over a personal grudge. Afghan Sulaiman Tajzai, 18, was captured smiling as he bought a knife from a corner shop in Leeds. Suliaman Tajzai, 18, is seen grinning as he purchases the knife Credit: Met Police Tajzai pleaded guilty to the murder Credit: PA He then hunted Farmanullah Sherzad, 26, down “like prey” to London on March 27. Footage showed him ambushing the victim outside his home before subjecting him to an “exceptionally violent” and “savage” attack in public – stabbing him at least 10 times. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Tajzai has now been jailed for life with a minimum term of 25 years for murder and possession of a knife. The court heard he had developed a “personal grudge” towards Farmanullah and falsely believed he was in the Taliban and had stalked his cousin’s wife with the intention of having sex with her. The Taliban had previously kidnapped the defendant’s father and was suspected of killing him. But in victim impact statements, Farmanullah’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. Most read in The Sun Farmanullah Sherzad, 26, was stabbed to death outside his home Credit: PA Tajzai seen leaving the corner shop Credit: Met Police In March this year, he lay in wait outside Farmanullah’s home waiting for him to return from work. Farmanullah attempted to flee before being chased down and stabbed repeatedly in a frenzied attack. CCTV footage showed him “screaming for his life” as Tajzai attacked him, leaving him in a pool of blood. A member of the public found the victim unconscious and called 999 – but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Tajzai had already fled but dropped a pair of black gloves near St James’ Park which linked him to the crime. He later attempted to catch a train at Kings Cross back to Leeds, but missed it and instead caught another service just after 6am the next day. Subsequent investigations found he had previously made the journey to the capital to scope out his target‘s home address and place of work. Tajzai is seen chasing his victim down Abbey Orchard Street in Westminster Credit: Met Police The court heard the animosity against Farmanullah was said to have dated back to the autumn of 2025. The prosecutor said there was a “pre-existing connection” between the defendant’s cousin’s wife and the victim which had “turned sour”. On October 3 last year police attended the home of the cousin and his wife in Leeds where they found Farmanullah tied up on the floor. He was arrested on suspicion of stalking and trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence, but later was released with no further action. However, he went on to claim to be in a relationship with the wife, saying he had come to Leeds to visit after she had invited him on social media platform Snapchat. Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, from the Met Police, 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. “The Met will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the most violent offenders are apprehended and put before the courts.”