Assault by MTBer in Devon - police looking for this person

From that link “ including verbal …multiple instances of him kicking dogs” .

I think I have a suspect who is in England atm (and fleeing towards the border iirc) 😉

Not good, I hope that they manage to find him.

Info. can be entered directly on the police website - https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/news/newsarticle/de921e27-910e-ed11-9bbf-005056019adf

Given the rider’s physique and what looks like a Ti frame it could well be one of us……

Those shorts and barends?
I hope not!

I liked this comment:

This is a walking advertisement for the consequences of acquiring your bike and all your kit by going to chain reaction and only purchasing items that are 70% off.

And no, it isn't me before anyone asks.

That comment is a ****ing beaut!

The alleged incident happened on 29th April, why is this only being posted now, three months on???

I think I have a suspect who is in England atm (and fleeing towards the border iirc)

Can’t be, guy in the pic is wearing a helmet.

The alleged incident happened on 29th April, why is this only being posted now, three months on???

The wheels of justice turn slowly in Devon?

https://flic.kr/p/2nBa8Kb

🧐

Just to add for purposes of D&C constabulary that bike looks to be a Lynskey titanium with white coloured DT Swiss forks, probably Hope silver pro 2 hubs so yeah they probably reside over at www.singletrackworld.com forum.

Ooh, I’d love a Lynskey

This is a walking advertisement for the consequences of acquiring your bike and all your kit by going to chain reaction and only purchasing items that are 70% off.

[I]The alleged incident happened on 29th April, why is this only being posted now, three months on???[/I]

Maybe there was no photo/adequate description but a later incident has provided a better description. Or the injured lady has only just got back out from injury and decided to pursue it.

TBH based on my last experience of riding round there (mid 90s) she's probably neglected to mention to the police that both dogs had bitten him and she'd already smacked him with her stick a couple of times for being so inconsiderate as to not stand still and let them get their full daily intake of cyclists leg meat.
"They're only playing, stand still and they'll stop chewing you."

Just to add for purposes of D&C constabulary that bike looks to be a Lynskey titanium with white coloured DT Swiss forks, probably Hope silver pro 2 hubs

Top class assumptions there - or use of Blade Runner technology to zoom in again and again and then magnify; it's a silver coloured frame which could be Ti but could also be bare aluminium or a silver painted frame.

As for the hubs, they're also silver coloured and that's all that can be said.

'Looks to be' or 'probably' says...this is nothing other than pure speculation; 100% guesswork.

One side of the story. Despite being a fully paid up member of the dog hating club I don't ride around looking for dogs and dog walkers to kick.
I suspect the usual based on my experiences, entitled dog owner, dogs off leads, running after him nipping at his legs under no control at all. A swift and fully justified kick to the dog no doubt escalated into her taking a walking pole to him and either falling over on rough ground or him lashing out in defence.

LOL @ Scruff'0372'.

‘Looks to be’ or ‘probably’ says…this is nothing other than pure speculation; 100% guesswork.

If I had any, I'd put good money on that being a Ti frame though. Look at the dropout. I'm not quite nerdy enough to remember who had 'bullet' dropouts Vs the flared type. One of the well known companies had that style of dropout though.

XTR FC-M950 cranks 😉

Just out of interest, the quotation from Devon & Cornwall Polices states that the lady was walking her dogs on a 'footpath', to my eye I'd guess that it's a bridleway. It probably doesn't make much difference as it's the assault that's the main issue.

As others have said, we don't know the cyclists side of the story, but he seems to have gone well overboard. I hope that they do manage to track him down.

Yes, I'd like to hear the cyclists version of events.

And for the three other incidents he's apparently been involved with.

Top class assumptions there – or use of Blade Runner technology to zoom in again and again and then magnify; it’s a silver coloured frame which could be Ti but could also be bare aluminium or a silver painted frame.

As for the hubs, they’re also silver coloured and that’s all that can be said.

‘Looks to be’ or ‘probably’ says…this is nothing other than pure speculation; 100% guesswork.

I think we have our perp

You'll only find him if Harrison Ford comes out of retirement!

Yes, I’d like to hear the cyclists version of events.

And for the three other incidents he’s apparently been involved

I've been mtb'ing since the mid 80's and never had to kick any dogs or assault their owner 🤷‍♂️ Multiple incidents whatever his version of events suggests he's most likely the problem not the dog walkers or their dogs.

Yes I think most normal people make their way through life without assaulting anyone, regardless of the situation.

Smurfmat?She might be a pesky poor person.

The footpath/bridleway question is irrelavant right. Just because he has comiited the crime of riding in the wrong place (civil anyway) does it mean he deserves to get bitten by a dog?

I’ve been mtb’ing since the mid 80’s and never had to kick any dogs or assault their owner 🤷‍♂️

I've had to kick probably a dozen or so over the years (been riding since about 1990), most of them before they bit, a couple afterwards.
Had a couple of owners chase after me, waving a stick and screaming something about "he only wanted to play, you didn't have to kick him."

I even quite like dogs.

How do you know he was bitten?

I’ve been mtb’ing since the mid 80’s and never had to kick any dogs or assault their owner

Yeah it’s strange that. How come some people seem to be constant target of dogs, yet ive never met anyone that has ever been bitten by one on a ride.

Do these folks strap sausages to their legs before setting off?

This guy kicked someone hard enough to knock them over and cause an injury. There is no excuse for that and he should face justice for it. Anyone who is trying to find ways to defend this should have a long, hard think about what they are doing

yet ive never met anyone that has ever been bitten by one on a ride.

I've been nipped once, by a border collie. "He doesn't usually do that, it must be you".

But I didn't kick the dog, though I did think about reporting the owner.

This guy kicked someone hard enough to knock them over and cause an injury. There is no excuse for that and he should face justice for it. Anyone who is trying to find ways to defend this should have a long, hard think about what they are doing

I don't think anyone's defending the cyclist here... just pointing out that the story of "I was just minding me own business with my friendly dogs and this madman appeared and kicked me in the face" (paraphrased) is not the full story, and perhaps her behaviour was a contributing factor.

A bit like this recent news item: link

The story of why the driver got angry is somewhat lacking IMO and I suspect some angry words and/or gestures were involved.
Does that make what happened the cyclist's fault? Not in the slightest.

yet ive never met anyone that has ever been bitten by one on a ride.

I'm guessing it's because you don't cycle much, or know many people that do...

Yeah it’s strange that. How come some people seem to be constant target of dogs, yet ive never met anyone that has ever been bitten by one on a ride.

Depends where you ride, how much you ride i guess.
I suspect those who do have run ins are either in areas of high conflict (where every arsehole has an impeccably well-behaved dog who is only playing) or desolate farming communities where dogs (essentially) run wild, and the police only go in armed.

Both of which i've experienced.

thers large packs of street dogs in thailand. My girlfriend always got on well with them, but they dont like me. I think its a male thing. Always trying to bite my ankles or stand barking aggressively
On the motorbike they are generally predictable, they either lie there, or continue in one direction, however theres one or two that are a bit thick, and Ive had to stick my foot out to stop them going under the front wheel
They do have rabies there, so it pays to be careful.

I got bitten on the shoe by a Jack Russell.
Told the owner, 'your dog just bit me, it shouldn't be off the lead'
The reply, i kid you not.
' oh, he always does that'!
Oh, okay then that makes it ok does it.

^That exact same thing, except when I said. “Your dog just bit me”, the owner said, “No he didn’t!”
I believe this is called gaslighting and is quite the thing among certain governments.

I got bitten a few months ago. I’d stopped to let the woman and her 6 mutts pass me, and was talking to her (well, shouting to her because the dogs were making such a racket) and didn’t spot one sneak up from behind and chew my leg. She was terribly apologetic, it had never happened before, etc, and the only reason she walked them on that path was because she couldn’t trust her dogs with the many other dog walkers on the main path below us. I had to leave work early the next day to get a tetanus jab, and still have the scar.

She still walks the dogs there, despite it being a marked MTB trail. And funnily enough, her driving is just as bad as her dog owning abilities. The next day I found out that she’s a paid dog walker (Ginger Mutts in Swansea) and her van almost took me out as I was riding home a couple of weeks ago. 🙄

I’m guessing it’s because you don’t cycle much, or know many people that do…

That comes across as rather arrogant and dismissive.

The footpath/bridleway question is irrelavant right. Just because he has comiited the crime of riding in the wrong place (civil anyway) does it mean he deserves to get bitten by a dog?

It's sounds like he's a serial offender and my guess is he needs dealing with but, as previously, his version of events would be useful. The footpath/bridleway question seems relevant to me as riding on a footpath may have caused the walker to say something and be the point of contention that started an argument and lit his fuse.

I don't think that there's anything in the reports to suggest that he was bitten or that the dogs were not under control.

I'm not sure how you can make an assumption that it's a bridleway from the photo, there are tarmac roads around here that are private and footpath only and other unsurfaced ones that are used by farmers in quads and tractors. And on the flip side there are bridleways that are so twisty and overgrown you'd think they just sheep tracks and not a right of way at all.

I don’t think that there’s anything in the reports to suggest that he was bitten or that the dogs were not under control.

errrr. Well yes. Why would there be. We've very much only got one side of the story here.
Grey haired darling dog owning Grandma with impeccably well behaved dogs gets assaulted by thuggish cyclist for absolutely no reason whatsoever.

Grey haired darling dog owning Grandma with impeccably well behaved dogs gets assaulted by thuggish cyclist for absolutely no reason whatsoever.

...and who has been involved in previous incidents with other dog owners....

I have not seen one comment regarding reporting a dog bite to the police in this whole thread, owner of 2 dogs here but surely if you can identify the dog/ owner then that is the way to go, they only put up with so many dog bites before action is taken and if they are stupid enough not to muzzle the offender after the first warning then more fool them.

Christ on a...er....bike!

Just cos he's on a mountain bike doesn't mean he's not nob head! Yeah we've only got one side of the story, but he's kicked a women to the ground. He better have some great ****ing excuse for that.

"She was moaning at me for riding on a footpath, and it's not even a criminal offence...."

Is not a good enough excuse!

I have not seen one comment regarding reporting a dog bite to the police in this whole thread, owner of 2 dogs here but surely if you can identify the dog/ owner then that is the way to go, they only put up with so many dog bites before action is taken and if they are stupid enough not to muzzle the offender after the first warning then more fool them.

I did. The policeman who emailed me back didn’t sound very enthusiastic about dealing with it, and asked me what I thought the correct course of action should be. I suggested that if the dog had been reported before then it should be put down, and at the very least the owner should have an official visit. I never got a response. As I said, the woman still walks multiple dogs, off leads, along marked MTB trails. No muzzles in evidence. 🙄

I’ve been mtb’ing since the mid 80’s and never had to kick any dogs or assault their owner 🤷‍♂️

this is so strange. the actual reason that i got into mtb was to kick dogs. assaulting the owners is just something you have to do if they complain about you kicking their dog.

this is so strange. the actual reason that i got into mtb was to kick dogs. assaulting the owners is just something you have to do if they complain about you kicking their dog.

You really should take some evening classes in dog psychology. Not only would you know when they are going to bite, you’d also learn when they are calm and relaxed and so you can sneak up on them. It’s very satisfying. I’ve ambushed three labradoodles so far this week by dropping out of trees and kung-fuing them into the pond. Had to fight one orange chav who didn’t understand my hobby, but them’s the sacrifices you make.

I used to enjoy the challenge of trying to karate kick a Great Dane in the head, but as I'm getting older and less flexible, I have to settle for Shih Tzus....

Would checking Strava on the days in question not be a good place for the police to start?

Would be a start and the person who presumably knew they were involved in a criminal act would not be loading that ride that day but if they did then could be into psycho category so could catch someone before they do worse.
Attacking animals and then a person doesn't bode well for the future acts of that person (if they did it)

From the pic, i think its towards the bottom of waterwell lane, which is definitely bridleway, might even be a byway come to think of it.. Doesn't make assault any less wrong tho.

The woman in her sixties who had just been kicked to the ground and seriously injured her shoulder and was presumably doing her best to keep her dogs under control at the same time was remarkably collected to get that pic.

I think the photo was taken at a different time and then presumably identified as the suspect by the original victim.

I think the photo was taken at a different time and then presumably identified as the suspect by the original victim.

How have you worked that out? If you are correct, we could be looking at completely the wrong person.

But I thought this, as well:

The woman in her sixties who had just been kicked to the ground and seriously injured her shoulder and was presumably doing her best to keep her dogs under control at the same time was remarkably collected to get that pic.

How have you worked that out?

If it was her taking the picture I think it would state that rather than just might be connected to.
So would assume its a photo taken by someone else possibly a few minutes before/after the incident but not at the actual time/place.

If it was her taking the picture I think it would state that rather than just might be connected to.
So would assume its a photo taken by someone else possibly a few minutes before/after the incident but not at the actual time/place.

Yeah, it crossed my mind as well. I was trying to spot some clues about the time of year in the pic - is that garlic I can see on the sides? That tends to be producing flowers in late April so you may be right that there was someone else there.

I’m guessing it’s because you don’t cycle much, or know many people that do…

And I’m guessing you don’t know what you are talking about, and have no idea how many miles a year I do, nor whether I’m an active member of a popular local cycling club.

Am I correct?

The woman in her sixties who had just been kicked to the ground and seriously injured her shoulder and was presumably doing her best to keep her dogs under control at the same time was remarkably collected to get that pic.

She may have taken the pic prior to the alleged assault.

It may have been what prompted the alleged assault.

…and who has been involved in previous incidents with other dog owners….

Allegedly, could be a completely different lycra glad hooligan, or group of hooligans.

presumably knew they were involved in a criminal act

Are we talking about the dog walker with her dangerously out of comtrol dogs waving her stick about, or the bloke on the bike?

You are aware of the issues between the militant pensioners division of the redsocks brigade and anyone riding a bike in their precious countryside?

I have not seen one comment regarding reporting a dog bite to the police in this whole thread

I have, several times, absolutely sweet FA has been done, other than one farmer who got a visit (his dogs had bitten several people over the years), no one could identify which of the dozen or so near identical collies had done it, so no further action (i reckon they were all horrendously inbred, hence the behavioural issues).

Your quote was completed by this bit of the sentence below mert.

...surely if you can identify the dog/ owner then that is the way to go,

Unless the dog has come bolting out of a property, like yours presumably did, it's going to be a bit tricky to identify someone. No chance an irate dog owner is going to volunteer their name to a cyclist that's arguing with them about being bitten.

…and who has been involved in previous incidents with other dog owners….

I often can't recognise people I know when they wear a helmet and sunglasses.

It could well be the same guy 3 times, could just as easily be 3 different guys riding silver MTBs.
Either way I hope it gets resolved.

I'm only surprised it's not bigger news. Cyclist does bad thing usually goes national.

@IdleJon -- I got bitten by a well out of control dog - my mate took pictures of dog, bite and escorted me straight to A&E, once we got there it was immediately reported to police - who came to A&E to collect details.

The owner was eventually fined IIRC £150. Well, made to give me that as compo. I donated it to SSPCA as the dog looked pretty ill-treated TBH. "First time she's done that" the owner said in defence. Hm

About 2 years later, my mate texted me to get the dog's name if I recalled it - which I did - yes, he'd been bitten by the same dog..

wow, seems some strange responses to someone being attacked. even more strange is the amount of people that have been attacked by dogs and then people that have actually kicked a dog!

how on earth do you get into these situations?

@Walleater if they're M950's then it's someone on Retrobike 😀

even more strange is the amount of people that have been attacked by dogs and then people that have actually kicked a dog!

Yeah weird that we'd put ourselves in such a strange place that we'd be in danger of being bitten. For me, it was the ridiculous notion of riding the marked MTB tracks in the local woods. I know that's completely out there, and I shouldn't have strayed away from the tarmac... 😀

how on earth do you get into these situations?

By cycling along, or even just walking, near an excitable uncontrolled dog?

Granted it doesn't happen that often but with the amount of people on this forum the relatively few times it HAS happened over the years will seem like a lot when concentrated into this thread.

Personally I always go slow near dogs because you can never tell when they'll go nuts at the sight of a bike (rarely in my experience, and even then it's manageable).

Worst for me was once when out riding I came across a massive dog wandering alone, no owner in sight. It went for me on sight, running flat out and barking! Chased me for a good while across the fields, bloody terrifying.
Maybe the best way to handle it would have been to have stopped, but I wasn't taking that chance at the time!

Can I ask why a thread about someone who has allegedly assaulted a person is now all about people being bitten by dogs? Especially as there is nothing at all in the story about the bloke actually being bitten by a dog.
Reminds me of stories reporting someone being knocked off a bike & all the comments underneath are about cyclists jumping red lights.

wow, seems some strange responses to someone being attacked. even more strange is the amount of people that have been attacked by dogs and then people that have actually kicked a dog!

how on earth do you get into these situations?

Being "selfish" and not wearing a mask?

Can I ask why a thread about someone who has allegedly assaulted a person is now all about people being bitten by dogs? Especially as there is nothing at all in the story about the bloke actually being bitten by a dog.
Reminds me of stories reporting someone being knocked off a bike & all the comments underneath are about cyclists jumping red lights.

I think its because it's a bit of a one sided 'story' and the key bit is its still "alleged".
So in the absence of a conclusion/outcome people will just project their own experiences/gripes onto someone else's situation.

My own feeling is that if the woman in question felt the need to report it, then it was probably a serious incident. However much she embellished or omitted from her account, I guess we'll never know, but I doubt she made the whole event up. I doubt the individual in question is going to identify themselves voluntarily, and if the police are given a name what can they really do?
It seems there's little actual evidence just personal accounts of an apparently objectionable arse on a bicycle being rude and kicking Dogs (And occasionally an older lady).
It'll just end up as one persons word against the others...

All you can really conclude is that some people are bellends, irrespective of their chosen pastimes.
But it's also worth remembering most people are still decent, I went for a ride last night everyone I passed was pleasant and I reciprocated, unfortunately that kind of thing doesn't make the news...

Especially as there is nothing at all in the story about the bloke actually being bitten by a dog.

Because generally speaking people don't assault old ladies for absolutely no reason at all.
There is a HUGE chunk of missing information and what transpired before she was assaulted, or even if she was assaulted.

Christ, *I've* been present when a mate was accused of shoving an old guy in red socks before now. Because the silly old git was walking backwards while shouting and ranting about "bloody hooligans on bikes" and tripped over a rock on a dedicated MTB trail (one of the 7 stanes IIRC).

I suspect us all laughing at him didn't help the situation.

From the pic, i think its towards the bottom of waterwell lane he’s been caught in the process of a danger ****

I only go out cycling so that I can kick old ladies over. If they’ve got a dog that’s just a bonus kick. Bank holidays are the best for any other wannabe kickers out there 👍🏼

Just cos he’s on a mountain bike doesn’t mean he’s not nob head!

In my experience that increases the chances of the person being a nob head.

There is a HUGE chunk of missing information and what transpired before she was assaulted, or even if she was assaulted.

Christ, *I’ve* been present when a mate was accused of shoving an old guy in red socks before now.

This is better phrased than the stuff I wrote and deleted.

Someone on here posted a while ago about the amount of abuse that regular cyclists put up with. Being bullied on the roads, being told that they shouldn't ride there, biased reporting etc. Just this weekend, I got shouted at by a woman for riding past her loose dog on a busy NCN route (busy with commuting cyclists, that is), and then the next day had an anti-cyclist rant from a dick of an HGV driver who I'd met 5 minutes earlier, at a social thing.

For most people, having a shouting match in public is a serious, worrying thing, and any physical contact comes as a surprise even if they've unthinkingly initiated it. Just thinking aloud, what if he was trying to get past her and she's blocking the track. He pushes past her and she loses her footing? Anyway, guesswork based on plenty of miles ridden and plenty of confrontations..

In other words, you are making up a story to suit your own prejudices & bias.

Because generally speaking people don’t assault old ladies for absolutely no reason at all.

There is only one legal reason to assault a person, which is self defence. So she must have started it, because mountain bikers would not do such a thing.

In other words, you are making up a story to suit your own prejudices & bias

absolutely not. Just pointing out that there's shit loads of missing info and what we do have doesn't make complete sense from a rational perspective.

So she must have started it, because mountain bikers would not do such a thing.

oh, they absolutely could. Lots of bellends on bikes everywhere. Bit it's a very very small likelihood.

Today on… the dark side of STW