Court round-up: Leeds teenager jailed for knife murder and Huddersfield killer sentenced

A Leeds teenager jailed for a "savage" knife murder, a man sentenced over a fatal Huddersfield stabbing and a child sex offender are among the latest cases heard in the courts.

A number of serious criminal cases involving Yorkshire have recently been heard in the courts. Here is a round-up of some of the latest sentences and hearings.

Leeds teenager jailed for life over 'savage' knife murder

A teenager from Leeds who travelled more than 150 miles to London before murdering a man in a "savage" knife attack has been jailed for life.

Afghan Sulaiman Tajzai, 18, pleaded guilty during his trial to murdering shop worker Farmanullah Sherzad, 26, on March 27.

Afghan refugee Sulaiman Tajzai, 18, (right) pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to the murder of 26-year-old Farmanullah Sherzad (left) the Metropolitan Police said.placeholder image
Afghan refugee Sulaiman Tajzai, 18, (right) pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to the murder of 26-year-old Farmanullah Sherzad (left) the Metropolitan Police said. | PA/Metropolitan Police

The Old Bailey heard Tajzai had developed a personal grudge against Mr Sherzad and travelled from Leeds to London before ambushing him outside his home.

In January, Tajzai had travelled to London to carry out reconnaissance near the convenience store where Mr Sherzad worked and his home address.

On the day of the killing, he armed himself with a kitchen knife and travelled by train from Leeds to London.

Mr Sherzad was stabbed at least 10 times in what Judge Angela Rafferty KC described as an "exceptionally violent" and "savage" attack.

Tajzai fled and returned to Leeds by train the following day.

On Friday (Sep 18), he was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 25 years for murder and possession of a knife.

Man jailed for 24 years over fatal Huddersfield stabbing

A man who fatally stabbed 20-year-old Kyrell Fleary-Gayle in Huddersfield has been jailed for 24 years.

Luke Belbin, 25, of Mitre Street, Huddersfield, was found guilty of manslaughter and possession of an offensive weapon following a two-week trial at Leeds Crown Court.

Kyrell Fleary-Gayle and Luke Belbinplaceholder image
Kyrell Fleary-Gayle and Luke Belbin | WYP

Jurors heard Belbin fatally stabbed Kyrell after the pair came into contact outside an address on Greenwood Street, Huddersfield, on January 20.

Belbin fled following the stabbing and was picked up on Bell Street by Cameron Boylan, who was driving a Nissan X Trail.

Belbin handed himself in to police four days later.

He was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court to 24 years in prison.

Boylan, 20, of Fanny Moor Crescent, Huddersfield, was given a two-year suspended sentence for assisting an offender.

Detective Chief Inspector Stacey Atkinson said Kyrell's death was a "devastating example of the tragic consequences of knife crime".

Man who pretended to be police officer jailed for child sex offences

A man who pretended to children that he was a police officer before committing sexual offences against them has been jailed for five and a half years.

Aaron Grimshaw, of no fixed abode, communicated online with children through social media, with Bradford Crown Court hearing the conversations were sexual in nature.

Aaron Grimshawplaceholder image
Aaron Grimshaw

Following his arrest, police seized his phone and downloaded evidence of the conversations.

His offences included sexual assault on a female, sexual activity with a child, engaging in sexual communication with a child and making an indecent photograph of a child.

Grimshaw was also sentenced for offending in Gloucestershire.

In May, Grimshaw, from Sedbury, admitted assaulting two girls at Tutshill recreation ground, near Chepstow, after approaching them while claiming to be a police officer.

He was jailed for five and a half years, ordered to sign the Sex Offenders' Register and given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Domestic abuser jailed after throwing hot tea in woman's face

A man has been jailed following a campaign of domestic abuse which included throwing a freshly made cup of hot tea into a woman's face.

Max Midgley, 38, of Hustwaite Road, Coxwold, near Thirsk, pleaded guilty to stalking and harassment causing fear of violence.

The court heard the victim had been in a relationship with Midgley for two and a half years.

During the relationship, Midgley was reported to have strangled her while making threats to kill her, attempted to push her down stairs and pushed her against tiles, causing her head to strike a wall.

Max Midgley, of Coxwold, who has been jailed.placeholder image
Max Midgley, of Coxwold, who has been jailed.

On another occasion, he threw hot tea into her face, requiring immediate action to prevent scalding.

After the relationship ended, Midgley drove directly towards the woman's vehicle on a country road, forcing her to brake heavily and swerve to avoid a crash.

Midgley was sentenced to 40 months in prison at York Magistrates' Court and handed an indefinite restraining order.

A police spokeswoman described his offending as a "prolonged campaign of abusive, controlling and intimidating behaviour".

News you can trust since 1754
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice