Second victim tells of '˜cycle sniper' assault

A SECOND cyclist has come forward and told of the moment he fell victim to a drive-by '˜BB gun' assault.Â
The welt left on Mr Robinson's right-side after he was targeted by the so-called 'cycle sniper' while out on a rideThe welt left on Mr Robinson's right-side after he was targeted by the so-called 'cycle sniper' while out on a ride
The welt left on Mr Robinson's right-side after he was targeted by the so-called 'cycle sniper' while out on a ride

Henry Robinson, from Emsworth, has joined Fareham biker Gary Chambers in recalling the moment he was left injured by a callous white van passenger with an imitation firearm. 

The 56-year-old was out riding southbound near Lordington on the B2147, close to Chichester, when he was struck on the back by an item '˜fired' from a passing vehicle on the evening of June 21. 

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Recalling the ordeal '“ consistent with the horror story Royal Navy diver Mr Chambers shared with The News a fortnight ago '“ Mr Robinson said: '˜As I was cycling along, the van passed and I felt a very violent whack on my back. 

Henry Robinson, who  was shot on the back by the so-called 'cycle sniper' while out riding his bikeHenry Robinson, who  was shot on the back by the so-called 'cycle sniper' while out riding his bike
Henry Robinson, who was shot on the back by the so-called 'cycle sniper' while out riding his bike

'˜I felt like I had been hit with a bat and I actually ended up coming off my bike.

'˜Luckily I was only travelling between 15 and 20 miles per hour at the time, which isn't too fast on a bike.' 

Mr Robinson was left with a blood-red welt and believes his wound '“ visible in a shocking image captured by his wife, Melissa '“ looks to be caused by a '˜BB gun pellet fired at '˜some speed'. 

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But although painful, if police don't buy the identical stories shared by himself and Mr Chambers, he fears another cyclist could come off much worse. 

He said: '˜If this lout believes police won't take action, then who knows what could happen next. 

'˜What we assume to be a BB pistol now could become a BB machine gun and someone could end up getting seriously, seriously hurt.' 

The incident on June 22 is not the first time Mr Robinson has been targeted. 

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In the 1990s, he was one of a number of bikers hurt by thugs with staple guns in Guildford. 

Eventually, he said, that spate drew to a conclusion after a campaign spearheaded by police and the local media '“ but this series has escalated from reports of cyclist being punched by a '˜white van man' near Wickham. 

Now, said Mr Robinson, it's time for police and cyclists to unite, take notice and take the offences seriously. 

He said: '˜I would absolutely urge anyone targeted by these people to talk to police, to talk to newspapers and give as detailed an account as you can in a report.' 

Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting the crime reference 47180092696.  '‹'‹