Teenager pleads guilty to murder after travelling 150 miles with knife

An Afghan refugee teenager has pleaded guilty to murdering a 26-year-old man in London after travelling more than 150 miles from Leeds with a knife he had purchased earlier that day. Sulaiman Tajzai, 18, admitted to the murder of Farmanullah Sherzad and possession of a bladed article at the Old Bailey on September 11, 2026. The court heard that on March 27, Tajzai bought a knife from a corner shop in Leeds at approximately 12:17 p.m. and then took a train to London. Prosecutors allege he had previously travelled to the capital to scout Mr. Sherzad's home address and workplace. That evening, Tajzai waited outside Mr. Sherzad's Westminster residence. Mr. Sherzad left work at 10 p.m. and cycled home. CCTV footage presented in court showed a scuffle near his house, after which he attempted to flee while screaming. Tajzai pursued and repeatedly stabbed him on Abbey Orchard Street. Emergency services were called shortly before 10:15 p.m., but Mr. Sherzad was pronounced dead at the scene about 20 minutes later. Following the attack, Tajzai fled the scene and discarded a pair of black gloves near St. James's Park. Forensic examination later found Mr.