A MAN kicked out at a schoolboy outside a Crown Court building and rode off on his bicycle.

The boy and his friends were using their bicycles and skateboards outside the court building in Middlesbrough, Teesside, in April, when Mark Clark approached them, Teesside Crown Court heard yesterday.

Mr Clark is then alleged to have kicked the boy in the back of the head before taking the bike and starting to ride off.

Yesterday, Mr Clark, 24, of Borough Road, Middlesbrough, appeared before Teesside Crown Court charged with robbery. He denies the charge.

Robin Turton, prosecuting, said as Mr Clark headed off on the boy's BMX bike, a group of men, who seemed to be associated with Mr Clark, shouted at him to take another bike instead.

Mr Turton said Mr Clark dropped the boy's bike and took a bike which belonged to one of the boy's friends.

The boys went to Middlesbrough police station, and while they were there they saw Mr Clark ride past on the bike.

Mr Turton said when Mr Clark was interviewed he told the police he had shouted at the boys to get off the Bottle of Notes sculpture outside the court building.

He said he took the second bike because he intended to throw it into the lake to teach the boys a lesson, but rode off on it when they chased him.

Mr Clark denied using any force.

The hearing continues.