Two teenage boys have been sentenced after a father-of-seven was left seriously injured when he was struck by an illegal bike in Thornaby town centre. The 46-year-old man, who has a wife and seven children, remains in hospital receiving constant care and is unable to return home to his family.
Incident on Thorntree Road
The crash happened on Thorntree Road on 31st January this year. The two boys, who were 15 at the time, were riding illegal bikes through Thornaby town centre. Cleveland Police confirmed that the victim was cycling on a pushbike when he was hit by one of the youngsters.
The cyclist suffered numerous severe injuries as a result of the collision. The rider of the illegal bike was apprehended and charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving and operating a vehicle without a licence or insurance.
Court sentencing
The other rider removed the illegal bikes from the scene and faced charges of perverting the course of justice, possession of a class B drug, driving without a licence or insurance, and dangerous driving. Both boys, now 16, appeared at Teesside Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 2nd September, where they entered guilty pleas to all charges and were sentenced.
Both individuals were banned from driving and referred to a Youth Offending Team. One of the pair was also ordered to pay £495 in compensation.
Police reaction
Detective Constable Nichola Lamport, from Cleveland Police's Collision Investigation Unit, said: "The actions of these two young boys have left a father-of-seven hospitalised, unable to be at home with his family, and in need of around-the-clock care."
She added: "We presented a thorough and robust investigation to the courts, working closely with the family of the victim, and we are all disappointed with today's sentence. It is very fortunate that this man didn't lose his life, and it could have happened so easily, but his injuries will impact him for the rest of his life."
Lamport also highlighted the wider message of the case: "This case shows that there are lessons to be learned around thinking twice before riding such powerful, dangerous and illegal machines. This is an important educational message; vehicles are not toys and can be dangerous – potentially lethal - weapons on our roads."
