Teenager sent to prison after Bristol motorbike theft attempt

A teenager has been sent to prison for six months after attempting to steal a motorbike in broad daylight in Bristol.  

The incident happened in the Berkeley Square area of Clifton on October 23, with a video of the crime going viral on social media. 

In the footage, three people are shown wearing balaclavas and wielding a hammer, attempting to smash a lock off and steal a motorbike.    

They are then shown fleeing the scene after onlookers throw a fire extinguisher at the group to try to stop them getting away before police arrive.  

The sentenced teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted charges of attempted robbery, theft of a motor vehicle, breach of bail conditions, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.     

He was sentenced at a hearing at Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday (November 22), where he received a 12-month Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) in addition to the six-month to the six-month Detention and Training Order.   

The CBO restricts him from being in possession of a motorcycle and a balaclava in public, among other conditions.  

Avon & Somerset Police anti-social behaviour co-ordinator, Kelly Parsons, said: “We welcome the sentence given out by the court, which included the granting of a full Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO). This order is designed to place restrictive conditions on the defendant, to deter any future offences. Breaching a CBO can result in a further prison sentence.”

“We’ve been carrying out an operation to target crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) involving motorbikes, mopeds (traditional and electrically powered) and e-bicycles, which has led to arrests and a reduction in reported ASB.”

A 17-year-old is also due to appear in court in February next year in connection with the same incident, after pleading not guilty to a charge of attempted robbery and being carried in/on a motor vehicle taken without the owner's consent.