Vengeful cyclist jailed for slashing 2,000 car tyres

Triathlon Forum
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LONDON (AFP) - A British cyclist was jailed for 16 months after admitting to slashing almost 2,000 vehicle tyres in revenge for the actions of “inconsiderate” motorists.

      ![http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/afp/20040416/thumb.sge.hsz55.160404155435.photo00.default-384x360.jpg](http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/afp/20040416/thumb.sge.hsz55.160404155435.photo00.default-384x360.jpg)

AFP/File Photo

Ashley Carpenter, 37, began his one-man campaign attacking tyres on 548 cars, vans and lorries with a sharpened screwdriver after one car almost knocked him off his bike and another splashed him with a puddle.

Judge Stephen Lennard, sentencing Carpenter at Bournemouth Crown Court in southern England, called the scale of the revenge spree, costing an estimated 250,000 pounds (375,000 euros, 460,000 pounds) in new tyres and other expenses to victims, “breathtaking”.

“In December last year, motivated by frustration and anger at what you considered to be the inconsiderate manner of motorists as experienced by you as a cyclist and a pedestrian, you embarked on your astonishing and extraordinary campaign,” Lennard said.

Unemployed Carpenter – described by his own defence counsel as a “socially inadequate” loner – had decided to “send out a message to motorists”, the judge said.

“In a period of 10 to 11 days, armed with a sharpened screwdriver, probably sharpened for the purpose, you went out and punctured 1,728 separate tyres on 548 different motor vehicles” in Bournemouth and nearby Christchurch.

“The scale of the damage and the financial consequences of it are breathtaking.”

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20040416/wl_uk_afp/britain_justice_cyclist_040416155524

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wow, he must have really had enough. I wish there was a way to let motorists know the peril they can put cyclists in. Most seem oblivious to it.

3

So would that be an incident of “roadie rage”?

4

According to the local news today, it only took two incidences for him to crack!

5

Tom D has been gone for some time now, are we sure he is not in London?

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If he is that would be a good training ride, it happened in Bournemouth which is about 80 miles from London!

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“it happened in Bournemouth”

Good heavens. I lived in Bournemouth for two years. Was kind of a quiet place. Would expect this more likely to happen in Brighton!

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What brought you to Bournemouth, CG? Chase Manhatten? It’s still nice and quiet despite being the current place for people to come for Stag and Hen nights. When were you here?

9

Tom’s innocent! Just read in the Detroit paper today that he is with Shiela T. coaching her in Lew’s absence.

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"What brought you to Bournemouth, CG? "

That was a long time ago. I had just finished university, was young, single and wanted some adventure. My mother is a WWII bride originally from Wales so I wanted to go “over 'ome” for a awhile. My parents originally met near Bournemouth during WII. Dad is a Canuk but was then flying a Spitfire in the RAF. They were both only 20 yrs old. Incredible when I think about it. So I always wanted to familiarize myself with the area where my parents first met. Also knew some people in Bournemouth, could work there legally because of mom’s British status. Ended up staying for two years. Lived in a thatched roof cottage in the New Forest for awhile, sharing with a New Zealand couple. I believe we rented it for thirty pounds a month back then. Could walk to the local country pub that dated from the 1600’s. It was 1976-78. A wonderful time with wonderful memories I will always cherish. It was a very different world back then. Man, I loved the 70’s!