A man has been jailed after a brutal stabbing in Wednesbury, with detectives tracing him through a £26 takeaway pizza transaction. Zafran Sajad, 21, was part of a group that attacked a man outside a pizza shop on Market Place on December 19, 2023.
The Attack
The victim, who was walking with friends, was set upon by Sajad and three others. He suffered multiple stab wounds to his chest and arms before managing to escape and call for help. Sajad fled the scene in a car but was quickly identified by police.
How the Pizza Order Led to Justice
Officers traced Sajad's vehicle to his workplace and found a £26 transaction from the pizza shop on his bank statement. CCTV footage also captured him at the scene. Initially claiming no memory of the event, Sajad later said he tried to de-escalate the situation.
Court Proceedings
Sajad, of Reedswood Lane, Walsall, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm at Wolverhampton Crown Court in February. On May 19, he was sentenced to five years and three months in prison.
Detective Constable Reece Markham said: “Sajad was clearly out to cause trouble that night. He had weapons in his car that were used during the awful attack on the man and his friends. The victim didn’t know Sajad. He was just on a night out with friends when he sustained life-changing injuries at the hands of Sajad.”
He added: “Violence like this anywhere is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. I hope this sentence brings some closure to the victim and shows those that commit violence the repercussions of what happens when you carry weapons and harm people.”
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: “A man has been jailed following disorder where a man was stabbed in Wednesbury in 2023. Zafran Sajad pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm at an earlier hearing. On December 19, 2023, Sajad was involved in a disorder outside a takeaway pizza shop in Market Place, Wednesbury. A group of friends were walking past when they were set upon by Sajad and three others. One man was stabbed multiple times before he managed to get away and call for help. Sajad and his friends fled in a car. The victim suffered multiple stab wounds to his chest and arms. Detectives carried out quick time enquiries on the car Sajad was driving and discovered it was for sale at his workplace. Sajad initially claimed he couldn’t remember being there but later changed his story. A transaction for £26 from the pizza shop that night was found on his bank statement, and CCTV captured him at the scene. On February 18, Sajad pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years and three months in prison.”
