Thugs said they would kill me with a hammer
CYCLIST CAN’T BEAR TO SEE HIS DAUGHTER IN CASE HIS FACIAL INJURIES SCARE HER
A 27-year-old man says he was brutally beaten by two hooded thugs who threatened to kill him with a hammer.
Ben Reynolds says he was set up by two men as he was cycling to his home in Great Lever from his night shift at an Amazon centre near Plodder Lane.
He was travelling back from work shortly before 5.30am on Saturday morning.
He says he was stopped by two men asking him for the time in a ginnel off Minerva Road, near the Royal Bolton Hospital. He describes how they demanded his wallet and when he refused, says they viciously attacked him.
They made off with his bike, phone, watch and his bag - leaving him bleeding on the street, he says.
Mr Reynolds, of Gainford Walk, is now suffering with facial injuries and swelling so severe that he has decided not to see his toddler daughter, because he is worried his appearance will frighten her.
He told the Manchester Evening News about the horrifying moment he was attacked: “I finished work at about 5am. I was riding my bike near the hospital, there is a cycle lane that leads towards Great Lever.
“I came across two guys, they were dressed in hoodies, tracksuits and caps. They asked me if I had the time so I told them. They asked me for a cigarette, I told them I don’t smoke. Then they told me to give them my wallet.
“I tried to ride away but my bike is not great, they caught up with me and pushed me off it.
“They started punching me and kicking me. They got me in the sides and in my legs, but it was mainly my face. There was this stabbing pain right in my eye.
“I tried to resist as much as I could but eventually they pulled out a hammer. They threatened to kill me.
“I just gave up and gave them my stuff. It’s not worth it. One of the men rode off on my bike, the other was running towards the hospital.” Just minutes away from home, Mr Reynolds managed to pick himself up and knock on the door of a neighbour for help. He was taken to hospital and is now recovering at his mum’s house in Farnworth.
Mr Reynolds said: “They had to prise open my eye. It feels like I’ve constantly got an eyelash in it and my face keeps bleeding whenever I try to smile.
“I am not allowed to sleep for more than a couple of hours for the next week – someone has to wake me up to make sure I don’t fall into a coma.” Devastated mum Patricia Reynolds, 64, was horrified when her son arrived at her door. She said: “I just want to know who has done this and why. It is obvious they wanted money, they are going to do it again to somebody else.” Mr Reynolds added: “They had that hammer for a reason, they were looking for someone and I just happened to come across them.”
Causing even more heartbreak for his family, Mr Reynolds says he does not want to see his little girl because the injuries will scare her. His daughter will be two-yearsold next month. He said: “It might take weeks for the swelling to go down. I don’t want her to see me like this, I think she will get quite scared.” After a relative posted on social media, Mr Reynolds’ wallet was found in Great Lever and returned to him. His other belongings remain missing. Greater Manchester Police have been contacted for comment.
They started punching me and kicking me... there was this stabbing pain in my eye Amazon worker Ben Reynolds