A terrified school boy had his treasured bicycle stolen after a hooded robber threatened to break his knee caps.

The 14-year-old was cycling home after playing football with friends when he was confronted by three hooded robbers on the Craylands Estate near Norwich Walk, Basildon.

One of the gang stepped forward and grabbed the frame of the bike and told the teenager "get off or I will break your knee caps."

Full report in today's Evening Echo

Published Monday January 14, 2002