Masked Teen Driver Who Hit Mother and Child Granted Controversial 'Second Chance'
A masked teenager on a modified e-bike, Bradley Price, has received a suspended sentence for dangerously driving through a red light and seriously injuring a mother and her young child in Middleton. The incident, which left the victims with permanent physical and emotional scars, highlighted the dangers of high-speed e-bikes. Price, despite being a vulnerable young man with learning difficulties, was also found to be in possession of a machete.
A disturbing incident in Middleton saw a masked 19-year-old, Bradley Price, on a high-powered e-bike run a red light and collide with a mother and her four-year-old child, who was in a pram, at a pedestrian crossing. The incident, which occurred on February 10, resulted in both the mother and child being taken to hospital with injuries requiring surgery. The child suffered a head laceration, and the mother also underwent surgery.
Price, who claimed his brakes failed as he rushed to see a friend, was riding an adapted e-bike capable of speeds up to 70 miles per hour due to a modified throttle. He was wearing a balaclava at the time of the collision, which took place on Long Street, away from Middleton town centre.
The impact of the accident has been profound and devastating for the victims. The mother expressed that they have both been left with permanent scars, including a visible scar on her eye, serving as a constant reminder of the trauma. She described how activities that were once normal now feel threatening and overwhelming. The child has experienced a significant loss of confidence and is now scared of bikes, unable to ride one himself. The mother stated that the accident has impacted every part of their lives, taking away their confidence and changing their lives in ways that are difficult to articulate.
During the court proceedings at Minshull Street Crown Court, prosecuting counsel Michael Pritchard KC revealed that Price was later found in possession of a machete. Mitigating on Price's behalf, Oliver Jarvis highlighted that Price has a learning difficulty, delayed development, ADHD, and emotional dysregulation. It was noted that Price had no previous criminal offences prior to this incident.
Sentencing Price, Recorder Emma Fisher acknowledged his vulnerability, noting he is a young man with a learning difficulty who would be considered disabled under the Equality Act. She accepted his remorse as genuine and cited his lack of prior convictions, relative youth, immaturity, and condition, possibly AuDHD or at least ADHD, as strong mitigating factors. Recorder Fisher described the mother and child as 'vulnerable road users' and remarked that it was perhaps 'luck rather than judgement' that their injuries were not more severe.
Despite being deemed at 'high risk of serious harm to the public', Price was also assessed as having a low risk of reoffending and a 'realistic prospect of rehabilitation', leading the judge to state,