A TEENAGER has been jailed after knocking a young man off his e-bike in a stolen car, leaving him injured on the ground and seeing his bike taken.
Tyreese Johnson (19) of Edge Lane, Droylsden, was sentenced to a total of four years and two months’ imprisonment in a Young Offender Institution at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, after pleading guilty to robbery, dangerous driving and aggravated vehicle taking.
The court heard how, at 8.35pm on June 10, a young man was cycling along Victoria Street in Ashton-under-Lyne when a stolen white Nissan Qashqai accelerated towards him and deliberately swerved into his path. The impact knocked him and his bicycle to the ground, causing injuries to his back and hip.
The Nissan Qashqai had itself been stolen from Hyde earlier the same day. Following enquiries and a detailed investigation led by officers from Tameside Neighbourhood Crime Team, Johnson was identified as the driver of the vehicle. He was arrested on July 8 and later charged.
Detectives gathered extensive CCTV footage showing the movements of the stolen vehicle and capturing the robbery. The investigation also linked the car to Johnson and, when presented with the footage, he admitted his involvement and pleaded guilty before the case reached trial.
Police Constable Amy Teeling, of Tameside Neighbourhood Crime Team, said: “This was a shocking and dangerous robbery in which a cyclist was deliberately targeted and knocked from his bike so that it could be stolen.
“Johnson used a stolen vehicle as part of a coordinated offence that left the victim injured and understandably distressed.
“The footage gathered during this investigation clearly showed the events that unfolded, and through the determined work of our officers, we were able to identify Johnson and bring a strong case before the courts.
“Violent robberies of this nature have no place in our communities and we hope this sentence reassures the public that we will relentlessly pursue offenders who seek to cause harm for their own criminal gain.”
Anyone with information about crime or anti-social behaviour in their neighbourhood can contact Greater Manchester Police via 101, or report information anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
