A thug stabbed a defenseless cyclist in the back during a row over a stolen bike, a court heard. The victim was rammed off the bike by a BMW before Reece Lowndes jumped out of the passenger seat and delivered a flying kick that knocked him to the ground.
Lowndes then stabbed a knife into the victim’s back as he lay defenseless on the ground, narrowly missing one of his organs, the Liverpool Echo reports.
In 2021, it was previously reported that a then teenage Lowndes ran through the streets of St Helens brandishing a 12cm kitchen knife while being chased by police following reports from concerned members of the public. Liverpool Crown Court heard on this occasion that a female police officer eventually caught up with the 19-year-old but was punched in the face and knocked to the ground.
READ MORE:
Zahra Baqri, appearing for the prosecution, described how Lowndes then dropped the weapon before jumping 3 to 5 meters from a bridge onto vacant land. Despite his attempts to escape, he was arrested on the spot.
Louise McCloskey, representing Lowndes, said there were “clear concerns about substance abuse” in relation to her client. She said: “If these two factors are addressed, the alcohol and drug use, it will reduce this young man’s risk of harm to the public.”
Lowndes, who was employed at Derbyshire Hill Road in St Helens at the time, pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker and possessing a bladed article in a public place. He was locked up for a year.
Recorder Simon Parrington told him: “Your personal protection was not a reasonable excuse. Whatever you thought at the time, it is not a reasonable excuse.”
The same court subsequently heard last week that a man named James Gregory was cycling along Cooper Street in St Helens at around 4pm on September 12 last year when he was struck from behind by a black BMW 1 Series driven by co-defendant Connor Richards. CCTV footage of a nearby then captured Lowndes, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, jumping out of the car while it was still moving.
Stella Hayden, prosecuting, outlined how he approached the complainant near an alley and immediately “launched a high kick” which knocked him to the ground. The 23-year-old, of Chiltern Road, then began unleashing a series of kicks and punches on him before stabbing him in the back.
One witness, Alison Garside, recalled seeing Gregory “lying defenseless on the ground” when he was attacked. Another woman, Jane Miller, shouted “Stop it, stop it” as he was punched and kicked in the head.
Lowndes then cycled away on the Trek mountain bike and returned home in a convoy by car, which was seen outside his address on dashcam footage captured by a police car shortly before 5.30pm. However, the vehicle left before his arrest, causing him to fall through the upstairs ceiling while trying to escape officers through the attic.
A blood-stained coat was found in the house, while the bicycle was also found in the garden. The BMW was then located near Richards’ home, with a lock knife containing stains of Mr Gregory’s blood and Lowndes’ DNA on the handle discovered on the front passenger seat.
The complainant was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Aintree Hospital. He suffered a single stab wound – which “fortunately” did not penetrate his lung – and a broken rib while a chest tube was fitted before being discharged.
Richards, of Bridge Road in Prescot, attended St Helens police station on September 13 after being dispersed as required. The 27-year-old admitted to being the driver of the car involved in the incident.
Lowndes has thirteen previous convictions for twenty offences. These include robbery, fighting, making threats with a knife, assault and assault on an emergency services employee.
Christopher Stables, defending, told the court: “This is a serious matter and will be considered as such by the court. This was not a planned incident at all.”
“The incident arose that day because the suspect saw his recently stolen bicycle being ridden by the complainant. He and the co-suspect acted on impulse.”
“The incident essentially ended with a single wound caused by this suspect’s knife. Fortunately, it did not appear to be a desperately serious injury.”
‘I accept that this is largely a result of luck and it could have been a lot worse. He had very limited education.”
“His education ended abruptly when he was very young, at the age of just 11 or 12. As a result, his employment opportunities are limited.”
‘He has had three full-time jobs as a warehouseman in the past, even if only for a short time. Overall, this young man’s life is a very sad story.’
“He had little or no income from work and did not have many prospects. He was often depressed and said he suffered from depression and anxiety.”
“That was mitigated by his regular cannabis use, which made the whole picture worse. It does have a rather sad background.”
Lowndes admitted wounding and having an offensive weapon in a public place. He appeared via video link on HMP Altcourse and replied “thanks” after being jailed for 33 months.
Sentencing him, Judge Anil Murray said: “The CCTV footage is unpleasant. You kicked him, you punched him and you stabbed him in the back.”
“The injuries were a stab wound. Fortunately, it did not penetrate his lung.”
“That was more luck than common sense. I accept that this was impulsive and unplanned.”
“You have come from a difficult background. You have an established pattern of violent behaviour, including carrying knives.”
“You’ve been using drugs since you were 11. It looks like you were out for a day in 2021 before your driver’s license violation.”
Richards, who has no previous convictions, was also due to learn his fate on Friday but his case was adjourned to allow further reports on the interim sentence. He will appear in court on May 17 and released on bail after also pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.
Judge Murray told him: ‘I am seriously considering sending you straight to prison. You must assume that I will.’