Full Breakdown
Leeds Teen’s Murder-For-Hire Plot in Westminster
By Drooid · · How we work
The Crime and Guilty Plea
On 27 March, 18-year-old Sulaiman Tajzai, an Afghan refugee living in Leeds, bought a knife from a corner shop near his home and travelled by train more than 150 miles to Westminster, central London. Later that evening he waited outside 26-year-old Farmanullah Sherzad’s residence on Abbey Orchard Street. CCTV footage shows Tajzai confronting Sherzad as the victim cycled home from work at about 10 p.m., stabbing him repeatedly. Sherzad died at the scene within roughly 20 minutes. Tajzai fled, missed a train at King’s Cross, and boarded another after 6 a.m. the following morning. He was arrested at his cousin’s house in Leeds on 29 March, where police seized a pair of blood-stained trainers and other items. Tajzai pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to murder and to possession of a bladed article; a sentencing hearing is scheduled for 18 September.
Prior Conflict and Allegations
Jurors heard that animosity between Tajzai’s family and Sherzad dated back to autumn 2025. The prosecutor described a “pre-existing connection” between Tajzai’s cousin’s wife and Sherzad that had “turned sour.” In September of the previous year, the cousin and his wife reported Sherzad to police, presenting an image of the victim and Arabic-language text messages. When questioned privately, the wife deleted the texts, refused to sign a statement and left the police station. Police later visited the couple’s Leeds home on a scheduled date of 3 October and found Sherzad sitting on the floor, wrists bound with fabric and without shoes. Sherzad was subsequently arrested on suspicion of stalking and trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence, claiming he was in a relationship with the wife after an invitation via Snapchat.
Investigation and Arrest
Metropolitan Police investigators, led by Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, used CCTV to trace Tajzai’s journey from Leeds to King’s Cross and his movements on the night of the murder. The investigation also uncovered that Tajzai had travelled to London in the weeks before the attack to locate Sherzad’s address and workplace. After his arrest, police searched the cousin’s residence, recovering the blood-stained trainers and other evidence linking Tajzai to the crime.
Upcoming Sentencing
Tajzai’s sentencing is set for 18 September, when the Old Bailey will determine the penalty for murder and the possession of a bladed article.