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A TEENAGE robbery victim today spoke out in the hope it will help catch his attacker.

Ryan Battersby, was riding his bicycle home from his grandad's home when the robber struck.

"A man came up to me and grabbed me as I cycled past," he said. "He told me to get off the bike, and when I said no he pulled my fingers off the handlebars and headbutted me.

"He rode off on my bike and I fell to the floor."

The 13-year-old, of Chestnut Way, Tiptree, started running home, but spotted a friend's car outside the local shop and stopped to tell her.

After hearing his description of the man, his friend realised she had been stood behind the robber in a queue in the shop just minutes earlier. He had been buying a crate of beer.

An ambulance was called, but Ryan who goes to Thurstable School, did not need hospital treatment.

His stepdad Adam Richards, 30, said: "We were told he had mild concussion and he was sick a few times, but he was OK otherwise. I was so angry - Ryan is just a boy, he doesn't even look like an adult."

Mum Donna Richards, 29, added: "You feel like you're going to be there to protect your kids no matter what, and yet the one time they do need you you're not there for them.

"It's affected us now more than him - we start worrying 10 minutes before he's due home."

Despite his ordeal, Ryan is more concerned about getting his bike back - which he only got for Christmas - than anything else.

His attacker was described as white, about 5ft 8ins tall and medium build. He had short-ish dark-blonde hair, which had been flattened down, and wore a blue and black striped jumper and blue jeans.

The stolen bike was black with white writing on the frame and red wheels. The seat was very distinctive with a red stripe down the centre, and a hole in the middle.

Anyone who witnessed the robbery, which took place at about 9.10pm on Saturday in Maldon Road, Tiptree, or with any information is asked to contact Colchester police on 0300 333 4444 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

12:28pm Thursday 15th May 2008

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