Boy faces knife threat from bike theft gang.

Byline: Simon Haworth

A furious dad hit out today after daylight robbers threatened to stab his son and then stole his bike.

The teenage robbers targeted schoolboy Stephen Gallagher as he cycled to a friend's house at 4.30pm on Tuesday.

The gang of seven - all wearing baseball caps - would not let 11-year-old Stephen pass near to The Oval shops in Brookfield.

One of the attackers said he would knife Stephen if he did not hand over the bike.

Stephen's dad Michael Gallagher is incensed.

The 38-year-old, from Geltsdale, Acklam, said: "What's annoying me is we live in a decent area, my son has cycled less than half a mile away in broad daylight and has been held up by a group of youths with a knife. It's robbery.

"One said he would hit Stephen if he did not get off the bike. When Stephen didn't, he then said he had a knife in his pocket and he said he would knife Stephen.

"Stephen saw something in his pocket. That's when he decided he would give the bike over.

"I am just disgusted we have to put up with stuff like this.

"We are not living in New York, but it is getting that way.

Mr Gallagher, who runs a recruitment business, said his son was white and shaking with shock after the attack. But Stephen recovered enough to go to school at St Clare's, Acklam, the next day.

The bike, a Stealth Bandit, was a metallic royal blue with chrome wheels and a sprung saddle. It cost more than pounds 100.

It is believed the gang had a bike with them which they discarded once they had stolen Stephen's bike. A resident also had their car damaged by the attackers.

Detectives are investigating the crime.

The boy who threatened Stephen with a knife is described as black, around 14 years old, and was wearing a hooded top.

Anyone with information can contact Middlesbrough CID on 01642 303126 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.