A charity cyclist has revealed he suffers from continuous pain and mobility issues after being violently punched off his bicycle during a World Naked Bike Ride event in Essex.
The Shocking Assault
Lee Turnage, a 46-year-old part-time binman for Colchester Council, attacked the naked cyclist on August 9 after mistaking participants for "perverts". Footage shows Turnage riding alongside the victim on his uninsured motorbike before delivering the punch that sent the cyclist crashing onto the pavement in Colchester.
Ipswich Crown Court heard how Turnage had turned his motorcycle around specifically to confront the cyclists before committing the assault. The victim sustained significant injuries including cuts to his legs and grazing to his hands and arms, though fortunately avoided more serious head injuries.
Ongoing Physical and Emotional Impact
In a powerful victim impact statement read to the court, the cyclist detailed his continuing struggle with recovery. "I have been struggling with sleep because of the pain in my leg - there is no let-up in it and it won't go away," he wrote.
The injuries have dramatically affected his mobility, forcing him to rely increasingly on a walking stick. His leg remains swollen months after the attack, requiring elevation whenever possible. The cyclist poignantly added: "Some days it feels like that pain will never end."
His social relationships have also suffered, with friends becoming more like carers than companions due to his limited mobility.
Further Violence and Sentencing
The court heard that Turnage's offending didn't end with the cycling assault. When police attempted to arrest him outside The Leather Bottle pub in Colchester, he attacked two officers, putting one in a headlock and kicking another in the abdomen.
One police officer required medical treatment to have part of his ear glued back on following the violent confrontation, which unfolded in front of children and other pub patrons.
On November 10, Recorder Jeremy Benson sentenced Turnage to 14 months in prison, suspended for two years. The sentence considered Turnage's previous good character and his caring responsibilities for his grandmother.
Additional penalties included 15 rehabilitation days, 75 hours of unpaid work, a £2,000 compensation payment to the cyclist, licence revocation for driving offences, and a further £200 fine. Turnage admitted multiple charges including dangerous driving, assaulting a police officer, and two counts of actual bodily harm.
