A quiet residential street in Leigh, Greater Manchester, became the scene of a terrifying, brutal assault that has shocked the community and resulted in a lengthy prison sentence. The incident, captured in harrowing CCTV footage, began as a casual patrol by a gang of masked thieves on electric bikes and escalated into a violent, targeted attack that left an innocent man seriously injured. The footage shows three individuals, their faces concealed by balaclavas, riding around the area before their attention is drawn to a man on a Surron electric bike, dressed in a distinctive orange coat. The gang’s intention was clear, turning a normal day into a nightmare as they initiated their chase, marking the beginning of a relentless pursuit that would end in violence and bloodshed.
The victim, realizing the danger he was in, made a desperate bid for freedom, frantically riding towards the safety of his own home on Melrose Avenue. The chase was intense, with the three assailants closing in on him, their own e-bikes allowing them to keep pace. In his haste to escape, the victim lost control of his bike and slammed forcefully into a wall just outside his residence. The collision momentarily left him vulnerable, and the gang immediately capitalized on the situation. One of the thugs was heard shouting, “Grab him now,” giving the chilling command to his accomplices to escalate the situation from pursuit to physical violence. The victim was quickly swarmed, punched, and forced to the ground, the safety of his home just feet away, but ultimately out of reach.
As the victim lay on the ground, screaming “no” and desperately clinging to his prized possession, the situation turned even more sinister. One of the gang members produced a machete, and in a frenzy of violence, began repeatedly striking the defenseless man. The attack was swift and savage. When the offenders finally fled the scene with the stolen bike, they left behind a trail of devastation. The victim was left with severe physical injuries, including a deep laceration to his thumb and multiple cuts to his face. Beyond the physical wounds, the psychological trauma of being hunted down and brutally attacked in such a terrifying manner is something that will undoubtedly linger long after the physical scars have healed)Skip the pain and the fear he experienced in that moment are now a part of his life forever. The sense of security in his own neighborhood was shattered in an instant.
Following the attack, Greater Manchester Police launched a comprehensive investigation to track down the perpetrators. Through meticulous detective work, including combing through extensive CCTV footage, conducting telephone enquiries, and analyzing social media and mobile phone data, officers were able to identify one of the attackers as 20-year-old Kade Cox from Salford. Cox was subsequently arrested and charged with a series of serious offenses, including robbery, burglary with intent to steal, and two counts of burglary where bikes were stolen. The investigation revealed that this wasn’t an isolated incident of theft, but part of a larger, more calculated crime spree. Cox was linked to a string of three other incidents between April and July 2025, all sharing a common theme: the theft or attempted theft of high-value motorbikes and electric bikes. These were not crimes of opportunity but a persistent campaign of terror waged against the community.
The court heard details of three additional offenses linked to Cox delved into the pattern of these crimes. On June 4, three offenders targeted a shed in Leigh, making off with two motorbikes worth thousands of pounds. Then, on July 19, a garage in Tyldesley was broken into, and three bikes, including a Honda motorbike and an electric bike, were stolen. A week later, the gang forced their way into another garage in Leigh but were forced to flee empty-handed. The series of crimes paints a picture of a determined and brazen offender who posed a significant threat to the public. The fact that he and his accomplices were equipped with e-bikes, which are themselves valuable and easily maneuverable, suggests a level of planning and a willingness to use violence to achieve their goal of stealing expensive vehicles.
The case culminated in a sentencing hearing at Bolton Crown Court, where Kade Cox pleaded guilty to the charges. The severity of his actions, particularly the machete attack, was reflected in the substantial sentence handed down by the judge. Cox was sentenced to 10 years in prison, and due to the violent nature of the offense, he will be required to serve at least seven and a half years in custody before he becomes eligible for release. The sentence sends a clear message about the serious consequences of such violent crimes. In the aftermath, Senior Investigating Officer PC Richard Kelsall of Wigan’s neighbourhood team did not mince words, describing the knife attack as ‘horrific’. He highlighted that Cox and his accomplices deliberately used extreme violence to achieve their goal, stating they “looked to incite fear and violence through any means possible” purely to steal a bike. He emphasized that this was not a random act but a “sustained and targeted series of thefts and burglaries” that left a victim with significant injuries.
PC Kelsall also praised the victim for his “courage” in bravely supporting the investigation and the subsequent court proceedings. He expressed hope that the significant sentence demonstrates the police force’s determination to pursue offenders who target communities and commit violent offenses for personal gain. For the victim and the residents of Leigh, this sentencing brings a measure of justice. The 10-year prison term serves as a stark warning to others who might consider using such violence, and underscores the dedication of law enforcement to bringing those who terrorize their communities to justice. While the physical and emotional scars of that April day will take a long time to heal, the swift and decisive legal action offers a sense of closure and a powerful reminder that such brazen criminality will not be tolerated.
