A hit-and-run driver who mowed down an 'entirely innocent boy' while targeting e-bike riders has been jailed for life.Zulkernain Ahmed, 21, ploughed into 16-year-old Abdullah Yaser Abdullah Taleb as he walked down a busy Sheffield Street in June 2025. Ahmed was convicted of murder after jurors were shown footage of his car moving to the wrong side of Staniforth Road to target one of a group of e-bikes and mopeds.He has now been jailed for life with a minimum term of 30 years.Abdullah was 'in the wrong place at the wrong time', jurors previously heard, when Ahmed used the car as a 'weapon' following a dispute with another e-bike rider.His father, Yaser Abdullah Taleb Al Yazidi, today shared a heartbreaking tribute - describing his teenage son as an 'optimistic person' who 'loved life and loved people'.He said Abdullah had only come to Sheffield from Yemen two months before he died.In a statement read out by prosecutor Alistair MacDonald KC in court, Mr Al Yazidi added: 'Life in Yemen was almost impossible - war, gangs, and individuals carrying weapons.'I travelled to England in search of safety and for a better life for me and my family. Abdullah Yaser Abdullah Taleb, 16, was killed when he was struck down by a grey Audi on Staniforth Road, Sheffield on June 4 last year Zulkernain Ahmed, 21, was convicted at Sheffield Crown Court for the murder of Abdullah Jurors were shown the video footage of how Zulkernain Ahmed's car moved to the wrong side of the road as he targeted one of a group of e-bikes and mopeds, knocking one of the riders over a hedge'[Abdullah] was eager to learn and integrate into the community.'He was happy to arrive in a safe country. He was very intelligent, always smiling, quick to learn and loved by everyone.'He was a pillar of the family.'Mr Al Yazidi went on to describe Abdullah as both his son and also a friend, adding: 'His death was a devastating blow to all of the family members.'This criminal incident has destroyed the entire family.'Mr Al Yazidi said Abdullah's mother 'is in a state of complete collapse' and now rarely leaves the house.He said Abdullah's sisters had 'lost trust in the community and are wondering all the time why this has happened'.Ending his statement, he suggested more children could have lost their lives if the incident had taken place at school leaving time. Zulkernain Ahmed's brother Armaan Ahmed (pictured), 27, who was a back seat passenger in the Audi, was cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter CCTV footage shows Abdullah innocently walking and throwing a water bottle in the air just moments before the incident Ahmed, of Locke Drive, Darnall, was also found guilty of causing e-bike rider La'rome Divers grievous bodily harm with intent and attempting to cause the other two riders - who have never been identified - grievous bodily harm with intent.His brother Armaan Ahmed, 27, of the same address, who was a back seat passenger in the Audi, was cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter by the jury.Armaan Ahmed was also found guilty of causing Mr Divers grievous bodily harm.Zulkernain Ahmed was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court by Mrs Justice Tipples today - the anniversary of Abdullah's death on June 4 2025.Earlier this year, the jury heard how Ahmed was out looking for Mr Divers on June 4 following a dispute over e-bikes, and had taken a baseball bat with him.Speaking outside the court in February, Detective Chief Inspector Ben Wood, of South Yorkshire Police, said: 'Abdullah was an entirely innocent boy who tragically lost his life after being struck by a car on Staniforth Road in June last year.'He was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.'The court heard how Mr Divers refused to make a statement.In an apology letter read at court, which Mr Webster said indicated a 'lack of literacy', Ahmed today said he was 'sorry from the bottom of my heart'.He added: 'I regret the actions I took that day, I wish time to turn back. I would change so many things.'I am sorry to Abdullah's family, every day I pray for them for things to get better for them. I cry every night knowing it was me. I wish I could make things better.'A third Ahmed brother, Zain, was the front seat passenger of the Audi but has not been traced by police.