Boy Severely Injured In Manchester Bike Robbery

8 September 2011, 12:34 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A 13-year-old boy who was given a reclaimed bike by police later has suffered a ruptured intestine after it was stolen from him in a violent robbery in Manchester.

The boy had been given the bike, originally stolen from a house and later reclaimed, by his school as a reward for hard work.

But robbers attacked him as he rode through a Longsight park, ramming him into the handlebars with such force that he had to spend two weeks in hospital with a ruptured intestine.

The boy's family have now agreed to the release of a photograph of his stomach injury in a bid to help catch the robbers.

At about 6pm on Friday, 6 August 2011, the boy was riding through Crowcroft Park, off Stockport Road, Longsight, when he was approached by two hooded men.

They rammed him forward into the handlebars before dragging him off the bike and riding off with it.

He was taken to hospital where he has had extensive surgery for a ruptured intestine. He has only just been discharged from hospital and is now recovering at home.

The main offender is described as black, about 15-years-old about 5ft 5in tall with a round shaped head and a design in his hair.

Detective Inspector Dave Turner, of Longsight Volume Crime Team, said:

'This poor lad was given the bike by his school as a reward for hard work and has now had it taken from him in the most violent circumstances.

'Not only did these criminals steal his bike - which was no doubt a deserved prized possession - but they left him with terrible injuries.

'He was pushed with massive force into the handlebars and they have done some real lasting damage to his stomach.

'He has finally returned home after two weeks in hospital and is thankfully making a good recovery.

'I now want people to take a good look at his injury and search their consciences - do you know who did this to a defenceless young lad?

'You may have heard someone boasting about stealing a bike from a kid or you may know someone who has recently come home with a bike with no real explanation.

'Either way we want to hear from you.'