A teenager who led a gang that attacked a cyclist in St Albans as he rode home from Hertfordshire University has been given suspended sentence.
Raju Miah, now 19, was with a group of boys who surrounded the man on the Alban Way in St Albans.
St Albans Crown Court heard on Friday, November 27 how the lecturer was riding along the former railway line on September 26, 2018 when he came across the youths, who were walking in the opposite direction.
The group parted, but then surrounded him. Miah shouted at him and kicked out, but did not make contact. Other youths threw ketchup over the man and jumped on his bike.
A passer-by began to film what was happening on a mobile phone and the group left.
Miah told him: “Don’t you ever f… with me again.”
Miah of Northfield Road, Harpenden, appeared for sentence having pleaded guilty to affray.
He had previous convictions for battery in 2015 and possession of cannabis in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Defending Nathalie Carter, said Miah was only 16 at the time of the offence.
She said he had gone into care when he was 13. He is now living in council accommodation and is working in Milton Keynes as a sorter. She said he had stopped smoking cannabis.
Recorder Lee Harris told him: “You set about taunting and behaving aggressively towards a middle-aged man who happened to by cycling. It was a rapidly-moving and frightening situation.
“The group of youngsters were led by you. It is fortunate it was filmed and you ran off.”
He passed a six-week jail sentence suspended for 18 months. Miah must carry out 100 hours’ unpaid work and complete 20 rehabilitation sessions.
He warned Miah: “You must keep out of trouble.”
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