Preston teen, 13, attacked lollipop man while on bail for spree of violence

Tim Akroyd with the hamper collected by teachers, parents and pupils
-Credit: (Image: Facebook/Tim Akroyd)


A Preston teenager who attacked a lollipop man was on bail for a separate spree of violence when he injured the school crossing patrol man.

Tim Ackroyd suffered a fractured rib when he was assaulted at work outside Queens Drive Primary School, on Black Bull Lane, Fulwood. The 74-year-old was kicked to the ground by a teenager, who was riding on the back of a motorbike which sped up, moments before the attack.

The 14-year-old, who can not be named for legal reasons, has been handed a 12 moNth youth referral order for the attack on Tim, as well as violence against a married couple six weeks earlier.

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Preston Youth Court heard that on 26 April, the teenager, who was 13 years old at the time and cannot be named due to his age, targeted a married couple in Preston. At 4.05pm, along with a group of friends, the defendant turned up at their home while a woman was alone and forced entry by kicking in the front door.

While inside, he demanded a new phone, grabbed the woman by the neck and pushed her to the floor. He ran off with the rest of the group empty-handed.

A short time later the teenager demanded an electric scooter from the woman's husband, as he picked the children up from school. When he refused to hand it over, the boy punched him to the floor and kicked him as he lay on the ground.

The husband sustained injuries to his lip and a loose tooth, as well as cuts to his elbow and leg. The teenager was subsequently charged with using violence to secure entry to premises, assault by beating, attempted robbery and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Just over six weeks later on 12 June, whilst on bail for the first offences, the defendant attacked a 74-year-old man in Preston. At 3.20pm, a school crossing patrol man was working outside a school in Preston.

The defendant pleaded guilty to using violence to secure entry to premises, assault by beating, attempted robbery and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in relation to the couple. He also pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm in relation to the lollipop man.

Today (Monday September 16) he has been sentenced to a 12-month referral order and was ordered to pay a total of £200 to the victims.

David Holland, Senior Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service in the North West, said: “This teenager targeted a couple in two separate violent incidents causing the whole family fear and distress.

“Six weeks later, as a 74-year-old school crossing patrol man was using the road, the defendant kicked out from the back of a motorbike with such force that he fell off the bike and his victim sustained a chest injury.

“I hope that following today’s sentence and hearing the effects these violent incidents have had upon those involved, the defendant will face up to the consequences of his actions.”

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