Birmingham DJ Suffers Catastrophic Injuries in Nightclub Car Attack
A Birmingham DJ has been left with devastating, life-altering injuries after being deliberately mowed down by a Mercedes driver who was high on nitrous oxide outside a city center nightclub. The horrific incident occurred in the early hours of October 4, 2024, outside the Tunnel Club in the Jewellery Quarter, following a violent confrontation that was captured on CCTV.
Violent Confrontation and Deliberate Attack
Mohammed Suffi, aged 23, of Hampton Road in Aston, was found guilty of wounding with intent after a trial at Birmingham Crown Court. He had already admitted charges of affray and dangerous driving. The court heard that Suffi and his three friends—Armaan Abid, 23, of Bayswater Road in Handsworth; Mustafa Gohari, 21, of Broad Road in Acocks Green; and Daanyal Hussain of Geraldine Road in Yardley—had been ejected from the Tunnel Club, which was hosting a Fresher's Week event for Asian students.
After being thrown out at approximately 2:20 AM, the group waited outside the venue until it closed. CCTV footage showed them shouting, banging on doors, and acting aggressively. When the crowd emerged, violence erupted as the four men began wildly swinging punches at anyone nearby. Prosecutor Daniel Oscroft stated the defendants were intent on revenge for a perceived slight inside the club.
DJ Dragged Under Vehicle
When the crowd turned against them, the group retreated to their Mercedes SUV, which Judge Farrer described as them being "essentially humiliated." Suffi, who was behind the wheel, then drove aggressively towards pedestrians along Livery Street and Water Street before circling back to the scene. Gohari and Hussain got out of the vehicle and continued fighting.
It was at this point that Caliston Calistus, a 28-year-old DJ, intervened to help someone being attacked. Suffi then sped off, deliberately ploughing the Mercedes into his own friend Gohari and Mr. Calistus, who both disappeared under the front bumper. Mr. Calistus recalled seeing the grill of the Mercedes before it ran over him and dragged his body several meters down the road.
Life-Changing Injuries and Psychological Trauma
The attack left Mr. Calistus with catastrophic injuries, including a broken pelvis, collarbone, ribs, and arm. He was hospitalized and bed-bound for months. In a victim impact statement, he described how the incident had "literally changed every part of my life," taking away his independence, confidence, sense of purpose, and goals. He stated that recovery from his physical injuries was ongoing and that he had suffered significant psychological trauma, alongside major setbacks to the business he had built from the age of 16.
Following the attack, Suffi dumped the damaged Mercedes at an industrial estate in Oldbury and fled the country from Birmingham Airport. He later returned but did not surrender to police voluntarily.
Defendants Plead Guilty and Express Remorse
During sentencing proceedings, Abbas Lakha KC, defending Suffi, said his client accepted full responsibility for causing Mr. Calistus's injuries and was "utterly and genuinely remorseful." The other three defendants all pleaded guilty to affray. Gulam Ahmed, defending Gohari, said his client's judgment had been impaired by alcohol and nitrous oxide, and that he was ashamed of his behavior. Ben Hargreaves, for Abid, conceded his client acted with bravado but was a follower, while Jim Tilbury, representing Hussain, submitted he had initially tried to act as a peacemaker.
Judge Farrer noted that people had been trying to calm the defendants before violence "erupted," and stated the group was "intent on trouble." Prosecutor Oscroft argued that Suffi had ultimately used the car "as a weapon" and that there was an element of revenge behind the violence. Judge Farrer confirmed he would pass sentence the following morning.
