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Sussex Police seek cyclist who launched "ride by" attack on another rider in Newhaven

Victim of unprovoked attack needed treatment in hospital for facial injuries

Police in Newhaven, East Sussex, are trying to track down a cyclist who launched an unprovoked attack on another bike rider last Thursday, leaving the victim needing stitches to facial injuries sustained in the incident.

The assault took place last Thursday lunchtime at around 12.20pm in The Drove. The 22-year-old victim, who comes from Seaford, was treated afterwards at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

"This was a most unusual assault,” commented PC Simon Burrows of Sussex Police.

“The victim doesn't know his attacker and was just cycling along when he was suddenly struck with some force.

"He required stitches for a cut to his face and also suffered swelling around his mouth and left eye."

Police say that the man who launched what they have described as a "ride by" attack was cycling in the opposite direction to the victim.

They described him as “a black man, around 6' 2", with a ponytail or long braids, wearing a cycling helmet and cycling shorts and heading towards Newhaven centre.”

Anyone who saw the incident or who recognises the description of the man police are seeking is asked to call Sussex Police on 101 quoting serial 675 of 13/09.

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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9 comments

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Stumps | 11 years ago
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Just shows us cyclists aren't all saints  4

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PJ McNally | 11 years ago
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Yes, doesn't fit the usual stereotypes.

If they find him, I assume he'll be getting a £350 fine and 9 points on his license?

(if confused, see today's other headline - except in that case, the alleged perpetrator of the assault was in a car).

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headfirst | 11 years ago
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Hmmm....strange story...now I'm not condoning violence, but how about this for a change of perspective:

"Cyclist attacks known bike thief/ a person on his old stolen bike/ a bloke whose reckless riding on another occasion had caused the cyclist to crash and injure himself" are all possibilities.

As said above IME 'moronic thugs on bikes' don't ride around in bike shorts and a helmet. Something doesn't add up.

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Municipal Waste replied to headfirst | 11 years ago
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headfirst wrote:

"Cyclist attacks known bike thief/ a person on his old stolen bike/ a bloke whose reckless riding on another occasion had caused the cyclist to crash and injure himself" are all possibilities.

Seconded. We also don't know the other side of the story for example if the man who got assaulted was doing something to provoke his assailant.

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Bob's Bikes | 11 years ago
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+1 totally agree with the pedalingparamedic

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notfastenough | 11 years ago
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Find it odd that someone who sees fit to wear a helmet and cycling shorts should do this. Weird.

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The Rumpo Kid replied to notfastenough | 11 years ago
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notfastenough wrote:

Find it odd that someone who sees fit to wear a helmet and cycling shorts should do this. Weird.

Why? Are you suggesting that people who wear cycling shorts and helmets cannot be morally reprehensible? Or paranoid schizophrenics? Or perverts who derive sexual gratification through inflicting pain on others? Such people do exist, and some of them probably own cycle helmets and shorts. I'll agree this man does not fit the stereotype, but there is no reason why he should. Stereotypes are oversimplified generalisations.

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pedalingparamedic | 11 years ago
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Isn't it about time that some definitions for humans on bicycles were laid down, especially on cycling websites?

Here's a start:
'Cyclist': person on a bike who has an adequate level of competence for the type of riding they are undertaking and respect for humanity, safety of others and rules of the road.

'Moronic thug on a (probably) stolen bicycle': see article above

I wish the unfortunate 'cyclist' a speedy recovery and hope the 'moronic thug on a (probably) stolen bicycle' is caught and receives punishment which makes the victim feel they have had proper redress.

P.S. Similar definitions to be drawn up for 'people behind the wheels of motor vehicles' please!

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Angelfishsolo replied to pedalingparamedic | 11 years ago
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I agree that not everyone who rides a bike is a cyclists is terms we understand. It is odd behaviour for someone dressed in what would seem to be the "correct" gear unless there is more to the story that has not been reported.

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