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Jury Convicts Seraaj Ayub of Drive-By Murder of 19-Year-Old in Birmingham

Prosecutors described a planned attack supported by a deceptive car hire, incriminating searches, plus messages.

Overview

  • An 11–1 jury at Birmingham Crown Court found Ayub guilty after more than 14 hours of deliberation.
  • Judge Simon Drew KC confirmed a mandatory life sentence, with the minimum term to be set at a December hearing.
  • Ali Riyan was shot in the neck while riding pillion on an e-bike in Alum Rock on October 19 and died in hospital on October 21.
  • Prosecutors said Ayub drove a rented Mercedes obtained using a friend's licence photo; it was driven extensively before the attack and recovered the next day.
  • Police cited web searches such as "getaway driver of a murder UK" plus a text saying "If I get bagged it's 35 years," and said Ayub fled overseas before his January arrest on return.