Driver killed ‘showboating’ e-bike rider to ‘teach him a lesson’

A driver who tailed and deliberately rammed his car into an e-bike rider to “teach him a lesson” for pulling a “wheelie” in front of his car has been convicted of murder.

Liam Jones, 22, suffered serious chest and abdominal injuries and died at the scene after Abdirahman Ibrahim drove into the back of his electric bike twice in Sheldon, Birmingham.

West Midlands Police said Ibrahim, 21, initially struck Mr Jones and then sped up to hit him again, causing the cyclist to come off his bike and collide with a concrete bollard.

Ibrahim was convicted of murder on Monday following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court.

His brother, Abdullahi Ibrahim, 21, was a passenger in the Seat Leon and previously pleaded guilty to assisting an offender.

The siblings will be sentenced on 26 March.

The court heard how they first came across Mr Jones and a friend when they 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 in Hingeston Street, 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.

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Detective Inspector Nick Barnes 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.”