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.
Mr Jones, 22, suffered catastrophic chest and abdominal injuries and was left to die in the road after Ibrahim fled the scene.
He denied murder but was found guilty following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court.
Ibrahim, now 21, was jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 22 years at the same court on Monday.
Prosecutors said by pursuing Mr Jones – a stranger – and colliding into back of the e-bike twice Abdirahman Ibrahim ‘weaponised that vehicle as he was driving’.
Mr Jones’ bike was ‘no match’ for the car, the court heard.
Police said Mr 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’.
Abdirahman Ibrahim was jailed for life on Monday after being convicted of murder
Liam Jones, 22, suffered catastrophic injuries and died at the scene after being catapulted from his e-bike into a concrete post
CCTV captures the Seat Leon driven by Abdirahman Ibrahim about to ram Liam Jones’ e-bike
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 Mr 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, Mr Jones’ sister, said he was a ‘much loved brother, uncle and friend to many’.
In a victim impact statement read to the court on Monday she 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 care-free, having a laugh and making memories,’ she said.
‘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, who the court heard came from a large Somali family, Judge Andrew Smith said Mr Jones was ‘unable to get away’ as Abdirahman Ibrahim had driven ‘with purpose and speed to catch him’.
He said there was no evidence Mr Jones and his friend tried to race the brothers or ‘did anything to encourage you to interact with them’.
He said Abdirahman Ibrahim’s actions in the immediate aftermath ‘were governed by a selfish desire to escape from the scene and involved no care for Mr Jones.’
Addressing Abdirahman he said he had pursued Mr Jones in a ‘determined and deliberate way’.
He adds: ‘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 Mr Jones and a friend who were riding their bikes on Coventry Road in Birmingham less than 10 minutes earlier.
Ibrahim was initially travelling in the opposite direction but he then turned at the roundabout and started to follow them.
CCTV showed the car in close proximity and Mr Jones performing a ‘stand-up wheelie’ in front of the vehicle.
CCTV captures the Seat Leon driven by Abdirahman Ibrahim pursuing the e-bikes.
Abdirahman Ibrahim stopped at a shop after abandoning his car
CCTV captures the Seat Leon driven by Abdirahman Ibrahim pursuing the e-bikes.
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 Mr Jones’ friend managed to veer away, Ibrahim then drove at the remaining rider.
After knocking Mr 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.’
