A MAN is calling for tougher sentences for young offenders after thieves smashed into his car – with the bike they’d stolen from him just hours before.

Earlier this month, biker John Cook was devastated to discover burglars had removed his garden fence in order to steal three of his beloved machines.

To add insult to injury, the young yobs later ploughed into Mr Cook’s car with one of the bikes after he spotted them joyriding around Middlesbrough’s Park End.

He said: “Both vehicles were heavily damaged and the thieves made off on foot. I tried to chase them but tore a muscle in my leg during the chase.

“The police arrived quite quickly and one of the thieves were spotted near the scene, so one officer flew round to the location in an attempt to apprehend him, but guarded by his “friends” he managed to escape.

“These kids know the estate and all the shortcuts better than anyone so beating them on their own grounds is near impossible.”

In the days following, the two remaining bikes were discovered burned out, one of which was found by Mr Cook, who said: “When I went to retrieve this one it was like walking through a crime scene.

“I passed motorcycle parts from other bikes, but not of mine – it was obviously a hot spot for local thieves to joyride and then destroy the evidence.”

Mr Cook says a restorative approach to justice could work for some troubled youths who need to put their lives back on track, but believes tougher sentences should be meted out to persistent offenders.

He said: “The aftermath of this is fear, which is affecting my wife and I - we worry about a return visit and what else they did whilst they were in our property as they must have spent some time here.

“I don’t think that the punishment is harsh enough for young offenders who carry out these crimes, many are repeat offenders and still don’t receive a fitting punishment.

“If they took the bikes and abandoned them after their ‘fun’ that would be one thing, but to completely destroy something is another.

“I hope to try and rebuild my bikes, and the ones that have been burnt out are complete restorations which could cost more than their value to restore in parts alone.

“If they had just abandoned them post joyride then I think that they need to learn a lesson and have something constructive to work on but people who burn out vehicles should have the harshest punishment.”

He said giving young offenders the opportunity to restore vehicles could give them life skills and allow them to “see what they can achieve and make them feel worthwhile”.

Mr Cook added: “With strict supervision, this could be an option but repeat offenders should be dealt with accordingly.

“We are too lenient with criminals across the board and the punishment system needs a shake-up.

“In some countries theft is dealt with by amputation and I’m sure these thieves would think twice if this was the case here.”