Cyclist murdered by driver who rammed him for showing off and pulling wheelie

A driver who deliberately rammed into an e-bike rider who was "showboating" and "pulling wheelies" before leaving him to die, has today been jailed for life for his murder.

Abdirahman Ibrahim raced after 22-year-old Liam Jones and then drove into the back of him twice in the Sheldon area of Birmingham, just before midnight on August 1, 2023. After ramming into him the first time, he then sped up to hit Liam’s bike again - this time the rider flew off and smashed into a concrete bollard. He was confirmed dead at the scene, having sustained serious chest and abdominal injuries.

Today Ibrahim was been jailed for life and told he will spend a minimum of 22 years behind bars.

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The court was told Ibrahim – who was driving in his Seat Leon – had first come across Liam and a friend who were separately riding their bikes less than 10 minutes earlier.

Prosecutor Phillip Bradley said Ibrahim, took 'umbrage' at Mr Jones' showboating to "such an extent that he wanted to teach him a lesson".

Ibrahim was initially travelling in the opposite direction but he then turned at a roundabout and started to follow them. CCTV showed the car in close proximity and Liam performing a 'stand-up wheelie' in front of the vehicle.

said that in their desperation to shake off Ibrahim the riders changed route – going the wrong way down a one-way street - but he caught up with them again.

While Liam’s friend managed to veer away, Ibrahim kept following him. After knocking Liam off, Ibrahim then drove over the bike before doing a U-turn and racing away.

He parked up and his older brother Abdullahi Ibrahim – who had been a passenger in the car - called a taxi for home which arrived at around 12.50am. Despite knowing they left someone badly injured they casually stopped off at a shop during the taxi ride home.

Ibrahim, 21, previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but was found guilty by a jury at Birmingham Crown Court. Abdullahi Ibrahim, 22, pleaded guilty to assisting an offender at an earlier hearing.

Detective Inspector Nick Barnes, from our 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.”