Hoodie caught on camera dragging rider from his scooter in failed attempt to steal bike during August riots is locked up for five years

By
Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 9:00 PM on 21st December 2011


A hoodie who was caught on video dragging
a rider from his scooter during the London riots was today jailed for five
years and 10 months.

Ryan Kichenside, 18, was caught on footage posted on YouTube chasing his victim, grabbing him by the neck, and pulling him from his moped, during rioting in Croydon in August.

Other rioters then piled in and held the rider down as another hoodie tried to speed off on the L-plated scooter which he crashed before finally making his getaway.

Ryan Kichenside, 18, was caught on footage posted on YouTube chasing his victim, grabbing him by the neck, and pulling him from his moped

Ryan Kichenside, 18, was caught on footage posted on YouTube chasing his victim, grabbing him by the neck, and pulling him from his moped

The scooter owner, a surveyor in his 40s, was attacked as he attempted to weave through a mob of rioters in Croydon town centre

The scooter owner, a surveyor in his 40s, was attacked as he attempted to weave through a mob of rioters in Croydon town centre

The video became an internet sensation, receiving tens of thousands of hits.

Kichenside, who has a three-year-old son, was jailed today after admitting stealing the Aprilla scooter and £1,700 cash and documents which were inside the pannier during the riots in Croydon on August 8 at a previous hearing.

He also pleaded guilty to violent disorder and the burglaries of the Ideal Discount Store and Early Till Late, a small business that was left ‘utterly devastated’ after rioters smashed through closed shutters and looted goods.

Prosecutor Graham Lloyd told the court how the scooter owner, a surveyor in his 40s, was attacked as he attempted to weave through a mob of rioters in Croydon town centre.

‘He turned right into London Road where there were a lot of people in the road,’ he said.

‘The victim described how “without warning someone jumped on my back, grabbed me around the head and pulled my body to the ground”.

‘He resisted and tried to drive off on his scooter, he managed to drive about ten yards when he was pulled to the ground.

‘His left ankle was crushed under the scooter. His foot was fractured. He is still suffering problems with that broken foot.

Police were able to identify Kichenside from the footage and when they trawled though hours of CCTV from the area

Police were able to identify Kichenside from the footage and when they trawled though hours of CCTV from the area

‘The scooter spun out of control, he was kicked in his hip and fell to the ground. He tried to chase after the man who had attacked him and he was struck a number of times.

‘There was £1,700 cash in the scooter connected to his surveying work and the scooter was worth almost £3,000,’ Lloyd added.

The court heard how on the same night Kichenside was seen on CCTV ‘karate-kicking’ his way into a small convenience store.

Rioters caused £40,000 damage and looted £30,000 stock as well as £5,000 cash.

Bharat Patel, who owns Early Till Late, described shutting his doors early on the advice of police and returning the next day to find ‘utter devastation’.

He said in a statement: ‘I was so shocked and angry. My livelihood was destroyed. I am still shocked and upset and business is down by 40 per cent because of the devastation in the area.’

Police were able to identify Kichenside from the footage and when they trawled though hours of CCTV from the area they found him and realised he had gone on to loot shops in the town centre.

The court heard the 18-year-old, who has ten previous convictions for offences including shoplifting, threatening a witness, assault and possessing an offensive weapon, was under a youth rehabilitation at the time of the offence.

He was warned at an earlier hearing that he faced ‘a substantial custodial sentence,’ to which he replied: ‘What do you mean by substantial? I don’t know that word.’

Sentencing him, Judge Peter Grobel said: ‘You played a prominent role in the West Croydon civil disorder on 8th August.

‘You were a leader of a group of youths confronting a police cordon. You were throwing items at police.

‘There’s an image of you carrying a metal coat stand at the relevant time.

‘You were caught on television and CCTV and seen to run alongside a totally innocent scooter rider and pull him off.

‘As a mature adult you would have got no less than five years for this offence.’

Kichenside received a sentence of two years and six months for robbery, two years for violent disorder and 16 months for burglary, to run consecutively. He also received a further 16 months, to run concurrently, for a second count of burglary. 

As he left the dock, he shouted to friends and family: ‘I only have to do half, it’s a walk in the park.’

Here’s what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts,
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The comments below have not been moderated.

After being passed around a few of the old, tougher, lags in prison, I’m sure he’ll think his term in jail a pain in the A***.

Sterilisation should be part of Kitchenside’s sentence. He’s already subjected us to the burden of supporting one of his foul spawn, which will most likely turn out to be the same type of creature as him.

The Judge should have doubled the sentence immediately for his “Walk in the Park” Comment.

Very nicely done judge very nice indeed !

The really annoying thing about this case is had the thug not committed this crime during the riots he would have got a suspended sentence. This is the sentence that should be meted out every day for every crime not just for crimes committed during the riots.

I remember seeing this thug on the news, and as a scooter rider thinking how his victim could have been me. I’m so glad he’s been brought to book, but his comments on leaving court make it clear that he hasn’t a particle of remorse or shame. No doubt after his `walk in the park’ we’ll be hearing more of him.

I fail to see why this young gentleman has received such a substantial custodial sentence. It is clear that this marginalised and disillusioned young father needs supportive intervention to be able to motivate his young child. Although he is in prison I do hope that in time he is able to live a productive and positive life and to make a valued contribution to his community.
– osmium, london, uk, 22/12/2011 00:10
So do I, but we both know the sentence is fair and that he will never become a useful member of society don’t we?

Anyone watching tv that night knew what was happening – the police had lost control of the streets because they failed to do anything about the rioting at Tottenham – and by the time it had spread to Croydon – people like this man thought they could do anything they wanted and get away with it. How said that he only got five years – because it is likely he will be out in less than two years.

I fail to see why this young gentleman has received such a substantial custodial sentence. It is clear that this marginalised and disillusioned young father needs supportive intervention to be able to motivate his young child. Although he is in prison I do hope that in time he is able to live a productive and positive life and to make a valued contribution to his community.

Who says you will only have to do half ? I think you might be very naughty and have to do it all ! Now laugh !

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