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Two teens arrested after Newport cyclist shot in face; bike still missing

Gwent Police appeal for witnesses to incident last Wednesday

Gwent Police have arrested two teenagers on suspicion of robbery after a cyclist was shot in the face last week with what is believed to be a BB gun.

The incident took place last Wednesday 21 January in an alleyway near Sandpiper Way, on the Duffryn housing estate in Newport.

Police say that they arrested two males, both from Newport, in connection with the incident. One, aged 17, has been released on police bail while officers continue their enquiries. The other, aged 18, remained in police custody yesterday.

According to a statement from Gwent Police, the pair blocked the path of the 40-year-old cyclist and demanded money from him. When he told him he didn’t have any, one of the pair shot him.

The victim fell to the ground but was able to get away, and had stitches inserted in his wound at the Royal Gwent Hospital. He left his bike, a black and orange X-rated Exile jump bike at the scene, and it has not yet been found.

Police are appealing for anyone with information about the bike or the incident to call them on 101 quoting log 436 21/01/15, or the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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9 comments

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ct | 9 years ago
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I sit corrected...that will get me for trusting a police document....

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Flying Scot | 9 years ago
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BB = ball bearing, so not sharp like a traditional round.

Has the potential to cause serious injury or blindness of course.

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jacknorell | 9 years ago
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ct, you're wrong:

"The penalties for breaking the laws that govern airguns are, rightfully, severe and those penalties bring airgunners entirely under the jurisdiction of the full firearms laws. In simple terms, when used unlawfully, airguns are regarded by the legal authorities as firearms, and carry exactly the same legal status as shotguns and live-ammunition guns, with no concession in law for the airguns vastly reduced power levels. Criminals using airguns face huge penalties, including terms in prison, again fully in-line with the laws covering firearms."

http://www.airgunshooting.co.uk/expert-advice/airgun_law_in_the_uk_1_111...

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Airzound replied to jacknorell | 9 years ago
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jacknorell wrote:

ct, you're wrong:

"The penalties for breaking the laws that govern airguns are, rightfully, severe and those penalties bring airgunners entirely under the jurisdiction of the full firearms laws. In simple terms, when used unlawfully, airguns are regarded by the legal authorities as firearms, and carry exactly the same legal status as shotguns and live-ammunition guns, with no concession in law for the airguns vastly reduced power levels. Criminals using airguns face huge penalties, including terms in prison, again fully in-line with the laws covering firearms."

http://www.airgunshooting.co.uk/expert-advice/airgun_law_in_the_uk_1_111...

But from the information we have about the weapon it was NOT an air gun but a BB gun so the above would not apply?

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ct | 9 years ago
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It isn't legally a firearm - it is legally an "imitation firearm"

Need to be 18 to own one mind and be a member of a soft pellet club

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jacknorell | 9 years ago
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An air rifle is legally a firearm, so it's a firearm offense.

Pretty serious, surprised they weren't booked on that as the robbery is I believe a lesser offense.

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OldRidgeback | 9 years ago
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Felix - BB guns can be quite powerful. My son has a low powered one. Some are gas powered and potentially dangerous.

I was shot at by airguns a few times back in the day, luckily for me they missed. Airguns were common where I used to live and so were shootings. One lad I knew lost an eye following one such incident as I recall.

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andybwhite | 9 years ago
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GBH, aggravated robbery, attempted murder, firearms offence ......

well that'll be 100hrs community service, which won't actually be served

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felixcat | 9 years ago
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Is a BB gun what we used to call an air gun?

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