Yorkshire grandfather injured after he was pushed off bike by callous robber speaks out from hospital bed in bid to find attacker

Nigel Bane from Maltby, Rotherham, was cycling along Laughton Common Road for his daily lockdown exercise and was around 100 yards away from the cemetery when the nasty assault took place on Wednesday morning.

The 70-year-old said: "I have a mirror on my helmet and as I looked in it and could see this blue old-style Ford Focus that I originally thought was going to overtake me. It then started to get closer to me and before I knew it the passenger side of the car was about eight inches away from my hip and I could hear a man laughing.

"As he laughed, he pushed me and I fell onto the pavement.

"I was in agony and just couldn't move or get up to have a look at him.

"The next thing I saw was him getting out of the passenger side of the car, laughing his head off.

"He picked my bike up, and I still couldn't do anything, and he rode off on it. The man driving the Fiesta followed him down the road, and picked him up, along with my bike."

Mr Bane, who has a degenerative spine injury and can only swim or cycle for exercise, said the pain he felt was "horrendous".

He was helped at the scene by two women who waited with him and called the emergency services.

Mr Bane was taken to Rotherham General Hospital where he is currently on morphine for the pain.

He has four cracked ribs and a number of cuts and bruises.

He said: "I always wear a helmet and thank god I do as when I fell my helmet actually cracked. I dread to think what would have happened if I hadn't."

Mr Bane said the attack has also hit him hard mentally.

"I am always vigilant so I am shocked something like this has happened," he said.

"You don't think something like this will happen to you, but it can.

"I will get back out there on my bike when I can as I love cycling."

Mr Bane has had his Giant FE2FS bike for more than three years and in that time he has cycled over 4,500 miles.

He and his wife Ann are planning to go cycling in Spain once the coronavirus pandemic is over, so he is hoping his bike can be returned.

"It would be great if I could get my bike back because I use it so much," he said.

"We love off-road biking as it keeps you away from the traffic.

"I just really hope I can get it back."

Mr Bane is waiting to hear if his bike is covered on his insurance.

South Yorkshire Police are investigating the robbery.

Detective Inspector Nina Jackson, of South Yorkshire Police, said: “I am appealing for anyone who witnessed this or a 54 plate Ford Fiesta in the Thurcroft / Laughton area yesterday morning to get in touch. I’d also urge drivers who were travelling through the area to check their dash cam footage to see if they captured the vehicle on video. I am keen to identify and speak to the two men in connection with this incident.

“This was a particularly nasty assault in which an elderly man was pursued and targeted. Thankfully, he has suffered no life altering injuries, however he was left incredibly shaken. His helmet was also cracked which suggests he was pushed with severe force."

Anyone with information is urged to call South Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting log 197 of January 27.

The Yorkshire Post has set up a Just Giving Page to help raise money for Mr Bane to purchase a new bike. To support this, please click here.