Moped monsters
In broad daylight, brazen thugs steal traff ic warden’s bike – then beat and stamp on his head in savage attack
A TRAFFIC warden told how he was ‘lucky to be alive’ last night after being dragged off his moped and repeatedly kicked in the head in the latest shocking example of Wild West Britain.
Charlie Weston was subjected to what police called ‘sickening violence’ before his moped was stolen, while bystanders filmed the attack on mobile phones.
The 21-year-old told The Mail on Sunday how he suddenly found himself surrounded by the yobs as he was going about his duties in Alum Rock, Birmingham.
He said: ‘I didn’t notice people coming up behind me, I just turned and saw a man in a hoodie with the cords tightened so I couldn’t see his face. The bike wasn’t what they were after, they wanted to give me a kicking.’
Mr Weston was dragged off his moped and thrown into the road. As he lay on the ground, one thug ran up to kick him in the back and another pulled up the visor of his helmet before stamping on his head at least six times.
Another joined in before running across the road to steal the moped.
Mr Weston said: ‘While they were stamping on me, they kept on trying to take my helmet off but I just kept my head covered. I was on the floor for a good few minutes after it happened. I thought they’d broken my jaw. I do genuinely feel lucky to be alive – I didn’t think I was going to get back up.’
Mr Weston – who works for private contractor NSL on behalf of Birmingham City Council – spent four hours in hospital.
But despite being left with injuries to his face and having to take painkillers, he was back on patrol yesterday.
A 20-year-old man was arrested yesterday morning on suspicion of robbery but West Midlands Police are still seeking three suspects as well as two bystanders.
Last night police chiefs, MPs and councillors united to condemn the crime. West Midlands Chief Constable Dave Thompson said: ‘This is absolutely sickening but these men are very identifiable. Help us catch these yobs.’
His colleague Detective Sergeant Tom Lyons said: ‘I was absolutely furious when I saw the footage. The level of violence used is truly shocking, and I know every rightminded person who views it will share that anger.’ Birmingham MP Liam Byrne warned online: ‘We need to arrest these people NOW. Someone knows them.’ And local councillor Waseem Zaffar added: ‘Any violence towards our workforce or staff working for contractors is totally unacceptable.
‘Nobody should go to work fearing such incidents.’