A man who deliberately rammed his car into a teenage boy riding a stolen e-bike has been jailed for 16 years for murder. Terrence King, 60, was found guilty after a two-week trial at Minshull Street Crown Court and was handed a 17-year sentence for the crime.
The court heard that the 15-year-old victim, Devon Simmonds-Caines, had stolen the £3,000 e-bike from another boy on the Langley Estate before he was pursued by King. Simmonds-Caines was riding the bike when King drove into him, causing fatal injuries.
Prosecutors said that King's actions were not an attempt to recover the bike but rather an act of revenge or punishment. The court heard that there was a fracas and punches thrown before Simmonds-Caines rode off on the e-bike.
Senior investigating officer Duncan Thorpe, of Greater Manchester Police, said that King deliberately drove his car into Simmonds-Caines and caused the injuries that led to his death. The boy was thrown into the air and died at the scene, police said.
In a tribute issued after his death, Simmonds-Caines' family described him as a 'bubbly person' who 'only wanted the best for everyone around him'. This tragic incident highlights the devastating consequences of vigilantism and the importance of seeking help from the authorities when dealing with theft or other issues.