Essex yobs ram boy off £3,500 bike before stealing it

Oscar Jackson, 13, was playing with a friend on his electric bike in Watlington Road, Benfleet, when a group of “older children” crashed into him on their own e-bike before fleeing with his bike, according to his mum, Amy. 

According to his family, Oscar frequently uses a small dirt track in the area to ride his bike because it is “safer than riding in the street”. 

Oscar was taken to hospital with fears he had broken his arm, and is covered in various cuts, burns and bruises from coming off the bike, despite wearing a helmet and protection.

Mum, Amy, 40, has said the incident has left her “distraught.”

Rider - Oscar on his bike (Image: Amy Jackson)

She said: “They were both so lucky they had helmets on, they were both hurt.

“I had to take Oscar to the hospital because he lost loads of skin off his arms, which were really swollen, we thought he had a broken arm.

“By the time he had got up after the crash, the other kid jumped on and rode off.

“I think they were targeting my son and they seemed quite a bit older, wearing black clothing and balaclavas.

“He is gutted, we bought him that bike for Christmas and my partner worked away for that £3,500 bike.

“We don’t let him go out on it for this reason, he is only 13 and I don’t want him on the streets. We always think he will be okay.”

Injuries - Some of Oscar's injuries (Image: Amy Jackson)

Amy added she was devastated after the incident and the family went out “for hours” looking for the bike.

“I reckon this must be what they are doing all the time, if someone was to crash into him, they are out to steal, and I think that is what they are after,” she said. 

“Things are really good around Benfleet; I am so surprised this has happened.”

She is urging residents to keep an eye out on social media in case the e-bike is listed for sale on Facebook. 

The incident was reported to Essex Police.