Pair jailed for assaulting onlooker that confronted them over illegal off-road riding in Coventry

Two men have been jailed for assaulting a man in his 60s, after he confronted them for riding off-road motorcycles anti-socially around children in a public place.

The offence occurred on Keresley Recreation Ground in Coventry at just after 4pm on June 20 and left the victim in need of hospital treatment for his injuries.

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Jamie Townsend, 36, and Thomas Black, 29, were arrested the following day and subsequently sentenced at Warwick Crown Court on December 9, 2024, having pleaded guilty to ABH assault.

“Townsend and Black attacked a man who was concerned for the safety of children who could have been injured by their irresponsible use of motorbikes in a public park,” DS Rich Walker of Warwickshire Police said.

“In a better world, they could have taken a moment to consider how their actions could be putting their community at risk of harm and taken their bikes elsewhere.

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“Instead, they will spend the next 657 days behind bars, hopefully contemplating the different choices they could have made.”

According to the police reports, the victim of the assault had been taking a walk with relatives in the park – including his granddaughter. After spotting Townsend and Black, he challenged them about their riding.

The pair then left and appeared around 40 minutes later outside a local shop on Rathbone Close, shouting, pinning the victim to the floor and assaulting him. He was then taken by ambulance to the hospital and treated for injuries to the head.

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Both riders were sentenced to 657 days in prison for assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Black will serve this consecutively with another of four years, two months, and 11 days he has also received for a burglary. Both men were also required to pay a victim’s surcharge of £187.