A 60-year-old driver who deliberately mowed down a 15-year-old boy on a stolen e-bike has been found guilty of murder. Terrence King struck Devon Simmonds-Caines with his Vauxhall on Rowrah Crescent in Langley, Middleton, on July 22 last year, causing catastrophic injuries that killed the teenager at the scene.
Guilty verdict after retrial
King, of Castlerigg Drive, Middleton, initially stood trial in January, but jurors were deadlocked and could not reach a verdict. After the jury was discharged, King pleaded guilty to manslaughter. However, a retrial concluded with a murder conviction on July 17, 2026. He now faces a life sentence, with sentencing to be determined at a later date.
Following the verdict, loud screams erupted from the public gallery, which was filled with Devon's family.
Prosecution details deliberate actions
Prosecutor Michael Hayton KC said that Devon's death was 'caused by the deliberate actions of the defendant Terence King who, in temper or outrage', made a 'conscious and deliberate decision to drive towards Devon and to steer towards him at speed and to collide with him'. Mr Hayton noted that Devon suffered serious injuries which proved 'unsurvivable', and he was pronounced dead at the scene at 12.20pm that day.
Footage showed no brake lights being activated on King's car. The e-bike Devon was riding had been 'robbed' earlier that day by Devon and another youth, who had 'physically dragged' the owner off it, the court heard.
King's defence and testimony
Giving evidence, King estimated he was driving at 30 to 40 mph before the crash, about 'twice the speed limit' for the road. He admitted he did not brake. Explaining his actions, King told jurors: 'I made the decision to try and block the bike in. I was trying to move behind the bike or the side of the bike.' When asked why he didn't brake, he replied: 'I don't know.'
King said he did not intend to kill Devon or cause any injury, and added he did not want to damage the bike. After the crash, he 'collapsed like a sack of potatoes' upon getting out of the car, later saying: 'Because I saw Devon.'
Family tribute and CPS statement
In a tribute, Devon's family described him as 'an outgoing, bubbly person who always kept himself motivated even when he didn't want to be'. They added: 'Devon loved everyone who loved him and showed respect to everyone who respected him. He wasn't afraid to speak his mind and only wanted the best for everyone around him.' The family said they want 'peace and to remember Devon calmly, surrounded by his loved ones'.
Sobia Ahmed of the Crown Prosecution Service said: 'Terrence King was enraged when he saw Devon Simmonds-Caines on the stolen e-bike. Rather than contacting the police, King deliberately took matters into his own hands and drove directly at Devon, at speed, with fatal consequences.' She added: 'Devon was a 15-year-old boy with his whole life ahead of him. My thoughts are with Devon's parents who must bear this unimaginable loss.'
