A man has been convicted of murdering a teenager who was shot in the neck while riding on the back of an e-bike. Seraaj Ayub, the driver of a rented Mercedes, was involved in the incident where Ali Riyan was shot in Alum Rock on October 19 last year. After being shot, Riyan was taken to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries two days later. Ayub fled to Bangkok and was apprehended upon his return to the UK in January.
Following more than 14 hours of deliberation, a jury delivered a majority verdict of 11 to one, finding the 24-year-old guilty of murder. The court heard that Ayub meticulously planned the shooting, living discreetly to orchestrate the attack.
On the night of October 19, Riyan was on the back of an e-bike when a Mercedes approached and a shot was fired from the rear window, causing Riyan to be hit in the neck. Despite efforts to escape, Riyan was fatally shot. A passing driver found him and attempted CPR before he was rushed to the hospital where he later passed away.
While on the run, Ayub sent messages to a friend admitting his involvement in the crime and expressing fear of a lengthy prison sentence. It was revealed that Ayub had rented the Mercedes using a friend’s driving license and extensively used the vehicle leading up to the shooting. The car was recovered by the police the day after the incident on Meridan Road, Tyseley.
Prosecutors highlighted Ayub’s secretive behavior and his active role in the shooting, emphasizing the calculated nature of the attack. They presented evidence of incriminating internet searches on Ayub’s phone post-arrest, indicating his awareness of the consequences of his actions.
Judge Simon Drew confirmed that Ayub would receive a mandatory life sentence, with the minimum term to be determined before his potential release.