Latest news with #LiamJones
Sky News
15-05-2025
- Sky News
Driver who used car as weapon to murder e-bike rider in Birmingham is jailed
A man who used his car as a weapon to chase and kill an e-bike rider has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 22 years. Abdirahman Ibrahim was found guilty of the murder of Liam Jones in Birmingham by a jury in February. The 22-year-old victim and a friend were seen "showboating" and doing wheelies shortly before Mr Jones was rammed off his bike into a concrete post, a court heard. Mr Jones suffered serious chest and abdominal injuries and died at the scene after Ibrahim drove into the back of his electric bike twice in Sheldon. Passing sentence at Birmingham Crown Court, Judge Andrew Smith KC said it must have been clear to Ibrahim that Mr Jones was not wearing a helmet prior to his death in Yardley, shortly before midnight on 1 August 2023. The judge told 21-year-old Ibrahim: "After careful reflection I have concluded that you did drive the car into and on Moat Lane such that you had the car available as a weapon. "You pursued (Mr Jones and his friend) in a determined and deliberate way." Police previously said they believed Ibrahim was "angered by Liam's showboating and wanted to teach him a lesson". Ibrahim's brother Abdullahi, 21, was a passenger in the Seat Leon and previously pleaded guilty to assisting an offender. The court heard how they first came across Mr Jones and a friend who were riding their bikes shortly before midnight on Coventry Road on 1 August 2023. Ibrahim was initially travelling in the opposite direction, but then turned at a roundabout and started to follow the bike riders. CCTV footage showed the car close to Mr Jones, who performed a "stand-up wheelie" in front of the vehicle. A pursuit then began, which ended with Ibrahim mowing Mr Jones down in Moat Lane. Ibrahim then fled the scene and parked his car in Golden Hillock Road, Sparkbrook, while his brother called for a taxi to take them home. West Midlands Police said during their journey, the pair "casually stopped off at a shop in Coventry Road". The force said the brothers then split up, with Abdullahi Ibrahim returning to the car, which was later found parked near the Jewellery Quarter. He returned home in a taxi at just before 3am. By this point, West Midlands Police said officers had already identified the vehicle involved and went to the brothers' then home address in Yardley. When officers arrived, Abdirahman Ibrahim was said to have told a number of lies about where his car was.
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Road-rage driver, 19, who murdered e-bike rider, 22, by ramming into him to 'teach him a lesson' jailed for life
A teenage motorist who followed and rammed an e-bike rider to 'teach him a lesson' after he pulled a wheelie has been jailed for life for murder. Abdirahman Ibrahim, who was 19 at the time, chased after Liam Jones before twice driving into the back of his off-road electric bike, the second time catapulting him into a concrete bollard. Jones, 22, suffered catastrophic chest and abdominal injuries and was left to die in the road in Birmingham, UK, after Ibrahim fled the scene. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Ibrahim, now 21, denied murder but was found guilty following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court. He was jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 22 years at the same court on Monday. Prosecutors said by pursuing Jones - a stranger - and colliding into back of the e-bike twice Ibrahim 'weaponized that vehicle as he was driving'. Jones'd bike was 'no match' for the car, the court heard. Police said Jones - who was not wearing a helmet - had earlier pulled a wheelie in front of Ibrahim's vehicle which had 'angered' him and he 'and wanted to teach him a lesson'. His brother Abdullahi Ibrahim, now 22, who was in the car at the time of the incident in August 2023, was jailed for two years and 10 months after previously pleading guilty to assisting an offender. The prosecution said both men knew Jones had been very seriously injured when they fled the scene and abandoned their car. They later took taxis home but not before stopping at a shop. Kelly Jones, Jones's sister, said he was a 'much loved brother, uncle and friend to many'. In a victim impact statement read to the court on Kelly Jones told how the family had been called to the road side following the crash and watched on in horror as paramedics tried and failed to save him. She said every day was now a struggle. 'He was taken from us at just 22 years of age a time when he should have been living his life to the maximum, enjoying every day, being carefree, having a laugh and making memories. 'But that was taken away from him in the worst possible way. I don't think any of us will ever get over the fact we never got to say goodbye to Liam. 'We never had the chance to tell him just how much we all loved him.' Jailing the brothers, Judge Andrew Smith said Jones was 'unable to get away' as Ibrahim had driven 'with purpose and speed to catch him'. He said there was no evidence Jones and his friend tried to race the brothers or 'did anything to encourage you to interact with them'. He said Ibrahim's actions in the immediate aftermath 'were governed by a selfish desire to escape from the scene and involved no care for Jones.' Addressing Abdirahman he said he had pursued Jones in a 'determined and deliberate way'. He added: 'There is no explanation for driving in that way other than to catch and make physical contact with one or both of the bikes.' The court was told Ibrahim - who was driving in his Seat Leon - had first come across Jones and a friend who were riding their bikes on Coventry Road in Birmingham less than 10 minutes earlier. Ibrahim was initially traveling in the opposite direction but he then turned at the roundabout and started to follow them. CCTV showed the car in close proximity and Jones performing a 'stand-up wheelie' in front of the vehicle. In their desperation to shake off Ibrahim the riders changed route - even going the wrong way down a one-way street - but he caught up with them again on Moat Lane. While Jones's friend managed to veer away, Ibrahim drove at the remaining rider. After knocking Jones off, Ibrahim then drove over the bike before doing a U-turn and making off in his vehicle. The brothers were arrested the next day at their then home address in Yardley. When officers arrived Abdirahman Ibrahim told a number of lies about where his car was, including it had been parked up elsewhere at about 9.30pm Detective Inspector Nick Barnes, from West Midlands police homicide unit, said: 'Abdirahman Ibrahim was intent on causing harm to Liam. He could have turned off at any point but he followed the riders and wanted to be in control. 'This was not a case of racing gone wrong as had been claimed by Ibrahim, but of him menacingly pursuing Liam and his friend. 'We believe he was angered by Liam's showboating and wanted to teach him a lesson. He knew what he had done and did nothing to help, instead driving off. 'Tragically, Liam lost his life and Ibrahim will now spend many years of his own young life in prison. Ibrahim's brother may have felt a sense of loyalty, but by trying to help his sibling he is now also a convicted criminal. 'We know Liam's death caused a lot of concern within the community and our detectives have worked tirelessly - reviewing hours upon hours of CCTV footage and phone records - to ensure we achieved these convictions. 'While nothing will ever bring Liam back, we hope knowing those involved have been caught and are being punished will provide some solace to his family and friends.'
The Guardian
12-05-2025
- The Guardian
Driver jailed for life over murder of e-bike rider in Birmingham
A driver who used his car 'as a weapon' to hunt down and ram a man on an electric off-road bike in Birmingham has been jailed for life for murder. Abdirahman Ibrahim, 21, left Liam Jones to die on the roadside after hitting him twice with his Seat Leon in the Yardley area on 1 August 2023, Birmingham crown court was told. Jones, 22, was 'showboating' with a friend, Tayzhon Johnson, when Ibrahim chased them unprovoked and knocked the victim off his bike and into a concrete post, the court heard. Jones, described as the 'spark' of his family, died at the scene after paramedics tried to save him. Judge Smith KC told the defendant he had used the car as a 'weapon' and pursued Jones and Johnson 'in a determined and deliberate way'. 'You became aware of Liam Jones and Tayzhon Johnson as you entered the Coventry Road and you changed your direction to follow them.' He added: 'There is no evidence that Mr Jones or Mr Johnson ever participated in racing with your car or did anything to encourage you to interact with them.' The judge said the two men had realised they were being followed and went down a one-way street in an attempt to get away from the car, but Ibrahim drove at speed along another nearby road to catch them. Smith added: 'Your actions in the immediate aftermath of this deliberate collision were governed by a selfish desire to escape from the scene and involved no care for Mr Jones.' Ibrahim's brother, Abdullahi Ibrahim, pleaded guilty to assisting an offender and was jailed for two years and 10 months, for efforts to hide the vehicle in the hours after the murder. Abdirahman Ibrahim was found guilty of Jones's murder in February after a retrial, having admitted the lesser charge of manslaughter, claiming the fatal collision was an accident after a race. CCTV footage showed to the court established that less than 10 minutes before the collision, Jones had performed a 'stand-up wheelie' near the car. In a victim personal statement, Jones's sister Kelly Jones said he had five siblings and was a 'loved son, brother, uncle and friend to many'. She said he should have been 'living his life to the max, enjoying every day, being carefree, having a laugh and making memories'. 'But that was all taken away from him in the worst possible way. I don't think that any of us will ever get over the fact that we never got to say goodbye to Liam,' she said. 'We were called to the roadside where his lifeless body lay. We had to stand by and watch the emergency services try and do all they could to save his life.' She added: 'Every day is a struggle without Liam. Our lives have been shattered into pieces. 'Liam was the spark of our family. He had brilliant banter and would always just make us laugh. He was the fun and bubbly one.'
Telegraph
12-05-2025
- Telegraph
Watch: Driver used car as a weapon to murder e-bike rider
A car driver who deliberately rammed an e-bike rider has been jailed for life for murder. Abdirahman Ibrahim, 21, 'weaponised' his Seat Leon after seeing friends Liam Jones and Tayzhon Johnson 'showboating' on electric off-road bikes in the Yardley area on Aug 1 2023, Birmingham Crown Court was told. Ibrahim remained emotionless in the dock as he was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 22 years on Monday. Footage showed the Seat Leon following the e-bike riders just moments before the deadly attack. Judge Andrew Smith KC said Mr Jones, who was described in court as the fun and bubbly 'spark' of his family, had done nothing to prompt Ibrahim to chase him. The 22-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene after being knocked off his e-bike into a concrete post in Moat Lane, having been rammed twice by the Seat. The judge told Ibrahim, of Bonham Grove in Yardley: 'After careful reflection, I have concluded that you did drive the car into and on Moat Lane such that you had the car available as a weapon. You pursued [Mr Jones and his friend] in a determined and deliberate way. 'You became aware of Liam Jones and Tayzhon Johnson as you entered the Coventry Road and you changed your direction to follow them. 'Once behind the electric bikes being driven by Mr Jones and Mr Johnson, it must have been clear to you that neither of them was wearing a helmet. 'Selfish desire to escape from scene' 'There is no evidence that Mr Jones or Mr Johnson ever participated in racing with your car or did anything to encourage you to interact with them.' The judge said the two men had realised they were being followed and went down a one-way street in an effort to get away from the car, but Ibrahim drove at speed along another nearby road to catch them. The jury had previously heard that Mr Johnson drove ahead and managed to veer off-road, but Mr Jones was 'not so fortunate'. The judge told Ibrahim: 'Your actions in the immediate aftermath of this deliberate collision were governed by a selfish desire to escape from the scene and involved no care for Mr Jones.' Ibrahim's brother, Abdullahi Ibrahim, also of Bonham Grove, pleaded guilty to assisting an offender and was jailed for two years and 10 months. The court heard the 22-year-old, who was a rear seat passenger in the Seat, was involved in efforts to hide the vehicle in the hours after the murder.
Wales Online
12-05-2025
- Wales Online
Motorist deliberately chased, rammed and killed e-bike rider who did 'wheelie'
Motorist deliberately chased, rammed and killed e-bike rider who did 'wheelie' Abdirahman Ibrahim, 21, who left his victim to die at the roadside, has been jailed for life for murder A car driver who hunted down and deliberately rammed an e-bike rider, leaving him to die at the roadside, has been jailed for life for murder. Abdirahman Ibrahim, 21, 'weaponised' his Seat Leon after seeing friends Liam Jones and Tayzhon Johnson 'showboating' on electric off-road bikes in the Yardley area on August 1 2023, Birmingham Crown Court was told. Ibrahim remained emotionless in the dock as he was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 22 years on Monday. Judge Andrew Smith KC said Mr Jones, who was described in court as the fun and bubbly 'spark' of his family, had done nothing to prompt Ibrahim to chase him. The 22-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene after being knocked off his e-bike into a concrete post in Moat Lane, having been rammed twice by the Seat. Abdirahman Ibrahim who pursued 22-year-old Liam Jones and then drove into the back of him (Image: West Midlands Police / SWNS ) Article continues below The judge told Ibrahim, of Bonham Grove, Yardley: 'After careful reflection I have concluded that you did drive the car into and on Moat Lane such that you had the car available as a weapon. You pursued (Mr Jones and his friend) in a determined and deliberate way. 'You became aware of Liam Jones and Tayzhon Johnson as you entered the Coventry Road and you changed your direction to follow them. 'Once behind the electric bikes being driven by Mr Jones and Mr Johnson it must have been clear to you that neither of them was wearing a helmet. 'There is no evidence that Mr Jones or Mr Johnson ever participated in racing with your car or did anything to encourage you to interact with them.' Liam Jones was left to die at the roadside after being rammed off his e-bike after performing stunts (Image: PA ) The judge said the two men had realised they were being followed and went down a one-way street in a bid to get away from the car, but Ibrahim drove at speed along another nearby road to catch them. The judge added: 'Your actions in the immediate aftermath of this deliberate collision were governed by a selfish desire to escape from the scene and involved no care for Mr Jones.' Ibrahim's brother, Abdullahi Ibrahim, also of Bonham Grove, pleaded guilty to assisting an offender and was jailed for two years and 10 months. The court heard the 22-year-old, who was a rear seat passenger in the Seat, was involved in efforts to hide the vehicle in the hours after the murder. Abdirahman Ibrahim was found guilty of Mr Jones' murder in February after a re-trial, having admitted the lesser charge of manslaughter, claiming the fatal collision was an accident following a race. Handout grab of CCTV footage issued by West Midlands Police of Liam Jones and Tayzhon Johnson (B1 and B2), seen on e-bikes alongside Abdirahman Ibrahim's Seat Leon (Image: PA ) CCTV footage showed to the trial established that less than 10 minutes before the collision Mr Jones had performed a 'stand-up wheelie' near the Seat car. In a victim personal statement read to the court by prosecution KC Phil Bradley, Mr Jones' sister Kelly Jones said he had five siblings and was a 'loved son, brother, uncle and friend to many'. She added: 'Liam was taken from us at just 22 years of age – a time where he should have been living his life to the max, enjoying every day, being care-free, having a laugh and making memories. 'But that was all taken away from him in the worst possible way. I don't think that any of us will ever get over the fact that we never got to say goodbye to Liam. 'We were called to the roadside where his lifeless body lay. We had to stand by and watch the emergency services try and do all they could to save his life.' The grieving sister added: 'Every day is a struggle without Liam. Our lives have been shattered into pieces. 'Liam was the spark of our family. He had brilliant banter and would always just make us laugh. He was the fun and bubbly one.' Article continues below Lee Karu KC, offering mitigation for Abdirahman Ibrahim, said his client's immaturity 'stares one in the face' and that any sensible person of the same age would not have followed the e-bikes. Curtis Myrie, defending Abdullahi Ibrahim, said both defendants were from a large traditional Somali family who were otherwise law-abiding and respectful, and his client had acted out of 'misplaced loyalty' in assisting his brother.
