Man 'deliberately' drove at teenage E-bike thief

A man deliberately drove his car at a 15-year-old boy who had stolen an E-bike in an act of revenge, a trial has heard.

Terrence King intentionally struck Devon Simmonds-Caines on Rowrah Crescent in Middleton, Greater Manchester, on 22 July 2025, it is alleged.

Michael Hayton KCm outlining the prosectution's case at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court, said: "This was not a tragic motor accident or poor driving."

The jury has been told King, 60, has admitted manslaughter, accepting his actions caused Devon's death, but he denies murder.

CCTV and doorbell camera footage showed Simmonds-Caines riding up and down on an E-bike the court heard he stole from another boy.

King's car was seen driving at speed up the road before veering left, mounting the pavement and crashing into Simmonds-Caines, who died at the scene from his injuries.

The footage was too upsetting for some of the boy's family, who left the court in tears.

Outlining the case, Hayton continued: "We are certain Terrence King's actions were deliberate and intended to cause, at the very least, really serious harm."

He said the footage shows King steering his Vauxhall Insignia into the teenager on purpose and on to the pavement with no attempt made to apply the brakes.

He told jurors: "The issue for you is to decide whether his actions were reckless or deliberate."

The prosecution said the teenager robbed a boy of the E-bike which had "attracted the envy" of others.

Hayton said King, who sat listening to the evidence wearing a grey sweatshirt and glasses, had "set off in his car to find it".

"The Crown says he goes from being outraged to someone who makes a criminal decision," he said.

"This is not an attempt to recover the bike but to get revenge or punish the boy."

The court also heard a pre-recorded interview with the boy whose bike was stolen.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, explained he was riding the E-bike when Simmonds-Caines and a friend attacked him.

Punches were thrown before Simmonds-Caines escaped on the bike, he said.

The trial continues.

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