Terrence King, 60, has been found guilty of murder after deliberately driving his car into 15-year-old Devon Simmonds-Caines, who was riding a stolen e-bike in Middleton, Greater Manchester. The incident occurred on July 22 last year on Rowrah Crescent in Langley, where Devon died at the scene.
Courtroom Reaction
As the verdict was delivered at Minshull Street Crown Court, loud screams were heard from the public gallery. King had initially stood trial in January, but jurors were deadlocked and could not agree on a verdict. After the jury was discharged, King pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but prosecutors sought a re-trial, resulting in the murder conviction.
Prosecution's Case
Prosecutor Michael Hayton KC told the court that Devon's death was "caused by the deliberate actions of the defendant Terence King who, in temper or outrage," made a "conscious and deliberate decision to drive towards Devon and to steer towards him at speed and to collide with him." Hayton emphasized that this was not a tragic road traffic accident but a deliberate act.
Video footage from the scene showed no brake lights on King's Vauxhall, and the car did not slow down. King estimated he was driving 30 to 40 mph, about twice the speed limit for the road. He admitted he did not brake, saying he wanted to "block in" the bike but denied intending to harm Devon.
Background
The court heard that Devon and another youth had earlier robbed the e-bike, physically dragging the owner off it. King, of Castlerigg Drive, Middleton, claimed he only wanted to stop the bike and had no intention of causing injury. However, the prosecution argued that King deliberately drove into Devon to "punish him."
Statements from Officials
Sobia Ahmed of the Crown Prosecution Service said: "Terrence King was enraged when he saw Devon Simmonds-Caines on the stolen e-bike. Rather than contacting the police, King deliberately took matters into his own hands and drove directly at Devon, at speed, with fatal consequences." She added that King's claim of no intention to hit the teenager was rejected by the jury.
In a tribute, Devon's family described him as "an outgoing, bubbly person who always kept himself motivated even when he didn't want to be. Devon loved everyone that loved him and showed respect to everyone that respected him."
